She drew back from him in a blaze of indignant rebellion.
"I will not!" she said. "Let me go instantly!"
His hold tightened. His face was more grim than she had ever seen it. His eyes seemed to beat hers down. Yet when he spoke he did not raise his voice.
"I have borne a good deal from you, Nina," he said. "But there is a limit to every man's endurance."
"You married me against my will," she panted. "Do you think I have not had anything to endure, too?"
"That accusation is false," he said. "You married me of your own accord. Without my money, you would have passed me by with scorn. You know it."
She began to tremble violently.
"Do you deny that?" he insisted pitilessly.
"At least you pressed me hard," she said.
"I did," he replied. "I saw you meant to sell yourself. And I did not mean you to go to any scoundrel."