“Yes; I adore you.”
She rose, with her brow wrinkling, her eyes half closed, and the look of contempt intensifying.
“Perhaps I had better defer what I wished to say till to-morrow, sir?”
He turned from her as if her words had lashed him, but he wrenched himself back and forced himself to meet her gaze.
“In God’s name, no!” he cried, passionately; “say what you have to say at once, and bring this folly to an end.”
She resumed her seat.
“Very well; let us bring this folly to an end. I am ready to treat with you, Mr Garstang.”
“Hah!” he cried, with a mocking laugh. “An unconditional surrender?”
“Yes, sir; an unconditional surrender,” she said calmly. “You have been playing like a gamester for the sake of my fortune.”
“And your beautiful self,” he whispered.