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I shrugged "I don’t know Such things may be true But I’ll be at the Acadelilad!" she exclaimed, and then looked aside from me I had to slanced at the direenhouses I could not see my sister I did not want to leave, but I knewan earring should not take her this long"

"I’ll come with you," Carsina offered As she stood, she took ht as a little bird perched there

"You should go back inside while I find Yaril," I said dutifully

"Should I?" she askedup atether It was narrow and so she had to walk close to me I went slowly, for fear she would stumble in the dark Then we came to the turn in the path, and as I feared, I saw Yaril standing very close to Re up at him As I watched, he stooped and kissed her

I froze in horror "He has no right!" I gasped in disbelief

Carsina’s grip on ht at all!" she whispered in shocked agree between the families They have not been promised to one another, as we have"

I looked down at her Her eyes were very big, her breathing rapid through her slightly parted lips

And then, without quite knowing how, I had taken her in my arms The top of her brow came just to my nose, so that I had to stoop and turn ripped the front of my new uniforainst my shirtfront as if overcoht," I whispered into the curls and pins of her soft hair "We are pro sha"

She lifted her face fro and I could not resist her I kissed her again

"Carsina!" a voice hissed in rebuke We sprang apart guiltily Yaril seized her friend by the elbow and looked at ht it of you! Carsina, come with irls swept away frohed musically, the other joined in, and then they were lost to ht I stared after them for a moment, and then turned to confront Rehed lightly and punched me in the shoulder

"Relax, old aze as an honest fellow should and said, "I’ve loved her for two years I think our mothers both know I promise you, Nevare I’ll never let harm come to her"

I could think of no reply to that, and he suddenly said, "I hear the ain To the chase, lads!" And he set off down the path in a long-legged stride in pursuit of the girls I was left shaking my head, dizzied with the kiss and the perfuht and brushed a bit of her powder from the front of it Only then did I discover that she had tucked her tiny handkerchief into the front of my coat It was all lace, delicate as a snowflake and scented with gardenia I folded it carefully into hts andon the le moment of the time left to me

Yet the instant I returned to the dance floor, ested that courtesy demanded I partner several of her older friends in dances I saw my father invite Carsina to the floor, while my sister Yaril looked al perforht stretched before me, both endless and desperately short The musicians had announced the final dance when my mother suddenly appeared at my elboith Carsina at her side I blushed as she set my betrothed’s hand inin the garden and even of the kiss

I was tongue-tied by Carsina’s glowing beauty and the way she gazed up into my eyes It seemed the dance turned around us rather than that hirled around the floor At last I ed to say, "I found your kerchief"

She sain"

And then the , and I had to bow to her and then release her hand and let her go Ahead of me stretched the four years of the Academy and three more of service before I could claim her I suddenly felt every day, every hour of that distance I vowed I would be worthy of her