"And the sequel to this?" he asked.
"I have promised to marry John Strangewey," she told him.
"That," he replied, "is impossible! I have a prior claim."
The light of battle flamed suddenly in her eyes. Her nervousness had gone. She was a strong woman, face to face with him now, taller than he, seeming, indeed, to tower over him in the splendor of her anger. She was like a lioness threatened with the loss of the one dear thing.
"Assert it, then!" she cried defiantly. "Do what you will. Go to him this minute, if you have courage enough, if it seems to you well. Claim, indeed! Right! I have the one right every woman in the world possesses—to give herself, body and soul, to the man she loves! That is the only claim and the only right I recognize, and I am giving myself to him, when he wants me, forever!"
She stopped suddenly. Neither of them had heard a discreet knock at the door. Aline had entered with the tea. There was a moment of silence.
"Put it down here by my side, Aline," her mistress ordered, "and show the Prince of Seyre out."
Aline held the door open. For a single moment the prince hesitated. Then he picked up his hat and bowed.
"Perhaps," he said, "this may not be the last word!"