"Who says so?" and she struggled as though to pull her hand away, but he held her as though in truth her hand had gone from her for ever.
"I say so, who am its legitimate owner. Now I bid you tell me the truth, or rather I defy you to go on with the lie. Do you not love me?"
"It is a question which I shall not answer."
"Then," said he, "from a woman to a man it is answered. You cannot make me over to another. I will not be transferred."
"I can do nothing with you, Captain Clayton, nor can you with me. I know you are very strong of course." Then he loosened her hand, and as he did so Ada came into the room.
"I have asked her to be my wife," said the Captain, putting his hand upon Edith's arm.
"Let it be so," said Ada. "I have nothing to say against it."
"But I have," said Edith. "I have much to say against it. We can all live without being married, I suppose. Captain Clayton has plenty to do without the trouble of a wife. And so have you and I. Could we leave our father? And have we forgotten so soon poor Florian? This is no time for marriages. Only think, papa would not have the means to get us decent clothes. As far as I am concerned, Captain Clayton, let there be an end of all this." Then she stalked out of the room.
"Ada, you are not angry with me," said Captain Clayton, coming up to her.
"Oh, no! How could I be angry?"