"Will you not give me a kiss?"
"If you are a man you would not ask me, knowing what you do."
"Ay, knowing what I do," he replied, bitterly, and fast losing control of his temper. "This I do know, that you scorned my love and—"
"As God is my judge I was sorry to do so and—"
"As he is my judge you shall be sorry almost unto death that you ever did. But a kiss I will have."
"Oh! heaven, are you a man or—"
"Beast?" he said, finishing the sentence for her, with a mocking laugh, and he exerted his superior strength to draw her to him.
Her quickness baffled him. She tore loose, retreated as far as possible and buried her face in her lap. But it was in vain she did so. He lifted her up again—held her hands so that she was powerless, and forcing her to look in his face, continued:
"You must and shall kiss me."
"Never!"