"I wished to tell you first. You know that I love you. I wish you to be my wife. If you marry me, Scott will be safe. If not----"
"If not, what would you do?"
"My duty," said he solemnly.
The situation was frightful. Dora felt that she must scream, if only to relieve the tension of her nerves. If Joad denounced Allen, the doctor would be arrested; and what defence could he make, what explanation could he give, for coming to the Red House on the night, at the very time, of the committal of the crime? She said nothing, trying to collect her thoughts, while Joad blinked at her through his half-shut eyes.
"And, after all, you couldn't marry him," he declared suddenly; "he is guilty."
"That has yet to be proved," said Dora faintly. "I cannot believe that Allen committed so horrible a crime. His motive----"
"His motive will be found in the papers he stole," said Joad brutally. "But come--your answer. Consent to be my wife, or I go to the police this evening."
"You--you must give me time," she stammered.
Joad nodded.
"That is only fair," he said gravely. "I will give you a week. If you do not promise by that time, well--your lover goes to the scaffold."