The Earl of Winsford looked at her searchingly and then he said:

"I want a wife to belong to me completely. To be mine exclusively for all time!" He paused before he said very quietly: "And I think, Sorilda, I have found her."

Then, as in some miraculous dream, he bent forward and gently sought her lips. It was a tender kiss, almost as a man might touch a flower.

"I love you!" she wanted to cry.

Again the Earl looked at her searchingly.

"Peter said you were the Sleeping Beauty," he said and his voice was deep. "I can promise you, my darling, that I am the man who is going to awaken you."

As he spoke his lips found hers. But now he kissed her fiercely, passionately, with new urgency. Suddenly, a little flame of fire awoke within her. It flickered and burned its way through her body, up from her breasts and into her throat.

"Teach me," she whispered. "Teach me how to love you."