He struggles with himself, and, failing in the struggle, catches her suddenly to his breast, and there holds her to his heart for half a minute, perhaps.
Then he releases her. It is all over. He had not even tried to kiss her. He goes swiftly past her into the gloom beyond the dying lamp, and is lost.
Tita stands as if stricken dumb. For a second only. Then she is conscious of a hand being laid on her arm, of her being forcibly led forward to her own room, of the door being closed behind her.
She turns and looks up at Rylton. His eyes are blazing. He is dangerously white across cheeks and nose.
"There shall be an end of this!" says he.
CHAPTER XV.
HOW JEALOUSY RUNS RIOT IN OAKDEAN; AND HOW MARGARET TRIES TO THROW OIL UPON THE WATERS; AND HOW A GREAT CRASH COMES, WITH MANY WORDS AND ONE SURPRISE.
Tita has wrenched herself from his grasp.
"Of what?" demands she.
"Do you think you can hoodwink me any longer? There shall be an end of it—do you hear?" Rylton's face, as she now sees it in the light of the lamps in her room, almost frightens her. "I've had enough of it!"