Sidney , presuming upon his cousinship , took possession of Amy , bidding her `` strike but hear him . '' Of course she listened with the usual accompaniment of tears and smiles , reproaches and exclamations , varied by cruel exultations and coquettish commands to go away and never dare approach her again . '' Ma drogha , listen and be appeased . Years ago you and I played together as babies , and our fond mammas vowed we should one day mate . When I was a youth of fourteen and you a mite of seven I went away to India with my father , and at our parting promised to come back and marry you . Being in a fret because you could n't go also , you haughtily declined the honor , and when I offered a farewell kiss , struck me with this very little hand . Do you remember it ? '' `` Not I. Too young for such nonsense . '' `` I do , and I also remember that in my boyish way I resolved to keep my word sooner or later , and I 've done it . '' `` We shall see , sir , '' cried Amy , strongly tempted to repeat her part of the childish scene as well as her cousin , but her hand was not free , and he got the kiss without the blow . `` For eleven years we never met . You forgot me , and ` Cousin Sidney ' remained an empty name . I was in India till four years ago ; since then I 've been flying about Germany and fighting in Poland , where I nearly got my quietus . '' `` My dear boy , were you wounded ? '' `` Bless you , yes ; and very proud of it I am . I 'll show you my scars some day ; but never mind that now . A while ago I went to England , seized with a sudden desire to find my wife . '' `` I admire your patience in waiting ; so flattering to me , you know , '' was the sharp answer . `` It looks like neglect , I confess ; but I 'd heard reports of your flirtations , and twice of your being engaged , so I kept away till my work was done . Was it true ? ''
`` I never flirt , XXXXX , and I was only engaged a little bit once or twice .
Amy India Poland Sidney cousinship day drogha exultations quietus years