He broke into a low, exultant laugh. She could feel the fierce beating of his heart, and her own died within her. The blaze of his passion ringed her round like a forest fire in which all things perish.
But even then she knew that somewhere, somewhere, there was a way of escape, and with the instinct of the hunted creature she sought it.
"To-night," she said, "I shall know whether you have ever really loved me."
"What?" he said. "You dare to question that now? Do you want to put me to the proof then? Shall I show you how much I love you?"
"No," she said. "Take your arms away!"
She did not expect his obedience, but on the instant he spread them wide and released her.
"And now?" he said.
She almost tottered, so amazing had been his compliance. And then as swiftly—came the knowledge that he had not really set her free. It had pleased him to humour her, that was all. He stood before her with all the arrogance of a conqueror. And through the gathering darkness his eyes shone like the eyes of a tiger—two flames piercing the gloom.
She mustered all her strength to face him, confronting him with that unconscious majesty that first had drawn him to her.
"And now," she said, "let us once and for all understand one another."