“Of course he impressed you with that idea. He is a great boaster. I left the city for the reason I have stated. I remained away as long as I could. Your eyes have haunted me, Inza. I have thought of you by day and dreamed of you by night. I could not forget you, even though I tried. I became desperate. At last I felt that I must see you again, and here I am. The real truth is that I’m in love with you, Inza—madly in love with you!”
In vain she tried to check this declaration. He spoke swiftly, intensely, passionately, his own eyes fairly burning with the intensity of his emotion. His voice shook and he felt himself all aquiver. He advanced toward her, but she flung up a repulsing hand.
“Keep away!” she exclaimed, falling back. “Are you out of your senses?”
“Perhaps I am,” he hoarsely admitted. “I believe I am. Only one person in the world can restore me to my normal condition, and you are that one, Inza.”
She would have retreated to the door by which she had entered the room, but, stepping quickly in her way, he prevented the movement.
“Don’t go!” he entreated. “At first I felt it was folly to even think of you; but I could not help it, and I had to think. The more I thought the more desperate I became. I’ve known plenty of girls in my day, but never one who has thrown a spell on me as you have. I began to consider coming here and telling you everything. That seemed folly, also. I said I would not. Then I began to fancy myself a coward unless I spoke. I grew more desperate. I fought against the influence that was drawing me to you, but I could not overcome it. Finally I rushed for the train, without preparation, without further hesitation, and here I am. Don’t be afraid of me. I want to marry you, Inza! My mother has promised to set me up in business as soon as I graduate. When my father died he left a fortune in trust for me. I am not a poor student with no prospects ahead of me. I can support you. I——”
She stopped him at last.
“Mr. Fillmore,” she said, “it is useless for you to go on. Stop! I am to be the wife of Frank Merriwell. I am engaged to him, and we are to be married very soon.”
“I hope not!” he cried. “I hope I’ll never live to see that! You can break the engagement with him.”