"Playing!" she repeated scornfully, yet sadly. "I play!"
"Then what can all this mean? There is some delusion ... a word may set it right.... You knew I loved you—did you not? You hear it now. Violet, I love you—love you as man never loved before. Will you accept that love?"
"Dare you ask me?" she said, fixing her large eyes on his with searching keenness.
"Violet ... what is it that you doubt?"
"Your purpose."
"My purpose is, to tell you that my heart is yours.... That I live but in the hope of calling you mine."
Her bosom heaved—her nostrils dilated, and with flashing eyes she proudly, almost fiercely, exclaimed,—
"Let me pass!"
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Let me pass, sir!"