“Gulian, you must give me time.”
The words were simple, plaintively uttered, but her action with the cloak and lace, gave them an emphasis which added to his irritation.
“Nonsense,” he retorted. “You have had time enough. Now you must act.” Roughly he considered her. “Anyone else might think you cared for that——”
“Gulian, in all the world you know I love but you.”
Verplank raised the cloak, reached for the fichu.
“Put these on, then, and come.”
But Leilah, with a gesture that was less of resistance than of appeal, motioned them from her. The gesture infuriated him. He threw the cloak about her.
“By God! You shall put them on. What’s more, you will come whether or not you want to.”
As he spoke he seized her, lifted her.
To Leilah it seemed as though she were about to be carried off violently, like a prey. Unresistingly she raised her face to his.