"Yes, I would, and like it all the better, when her will was broken."
Jessup shrunk down in his bed. There was something savage in that stern young face that terrified him. Storms saw the feeble movement, and went on:
"Never fear, man, I will find a way to bend her will, and make her love me afterward."
"I would rather have her placed by my side in the same coffin," answered the old man.
"You take back your word?" repeated Storms, savagely.
"Yes, I take back my word."
Storms turned on his heel, and without a syllable of farewell left the house. He paused a moment under the porch, and a glint of Ruth's garments caught his eye, as she was coming down the shaded wood-path, after parting with Mrs. Mason.
Ruth saw him coming, and stopped, looking around for some chance of escape, like a bird, threatened in its cage.
There was no way of escape, however. On one hand lay a deep ravine, with a brooklet at the bottom, and clothed with ferns up the sides; on the other, wild thickets, such as made that portion of a park called the wilderness picturesque.
"So, sweetheart, you were waiting for me. I thought it would come to that," said Storms.