He bore her back to her resting-place. He set her on her feet and drew her hands away, holding her firmly by the wrists.
"Now tell me," he said "it is the last time I shall ever ask you—will you marry me?"
"Never!" she cried.
"Be careful!" he broke in warningly. "That is not your answer. Look at me! Look into my eyes! Do you think you are wise in giving me such an answer as that?"
But she would not meet his eyes. She dared not.
"Listen!" he said. "Your mother has given you to me. She will never speak to you again, except as my promised wife. I have sworn to her that I will make you accept me. No power on earth can take you from me. Ernestine, listen! You are the only woman who ever resisted me, and for that I am going to make you what I have never desired to make any woman before,—my wife—not my servant; my queen—not my slave. I can give you everything under the sun. You will be a princess. You will have wealth, jewels such as you have never dreamed of, palaces, servants, honour—"
"And you!" she cried hysterically. "You!"
"Yes, and me," he said. "But you will have me in one form or another whatever your choice. You won't get away from me. You may refuse to marry me, but——"
"I do!" she burst out wildly. "I do!"
"But—" he said again, very deliberately.