“I am no noble Marquess, and have no great estates,” he cried. “My father is a plain India merchant in the colony of Massachusetts—but if you—”
“Oh, hush, I say! I don’t know what your long words mean. But I bless you, bless you, bless you on my knees!” And she knelt before him, and fell to kissing his hands.
He drew her up to his breast and held her there.
“You are willing, Polixena?” he said.
“No, no!” She broke from him with outstretched hands. “I am not willing. You mistake me. I must marry the Marquess, I tell you!”
“On my money?” he taunted her; and her burning blush rebuked him.
“Yes, on your money,” she said sadly.
“Why? Because, much as you hate him, you hate me still more?”
She was silent.
“If you hate me, why do you sacrifice yourself for me?” he persisted.