"You must!" His arm was more firmly around her. She had the feeling that she was in his power, that he was exercising some influence over her, hitherto unknown to her. "I need you more than she."
"I can't," she answered, more faintly. "Why should we steal away clandestinely, without telling Mrs. Quirk?"
"Because I am compelled to go, and I cannot go without you. I will take you to America, and give you a chance of seeing the world. We shall be happy together, you and I. Come, Kathleen!"
They had strolled back along the avenue, and were not far from the house.
"Kathleen! Honey!"
Kathleen could hear Mrs. Quirk's voice calling to her from the house.
"I must go inside," she urged.
"No! You must come with me, now, to-night! There is the night express, and I have a cab waiting for us outside the gate," he answered. There was mastery in his voice, and she felt that she could not resist.
"Kathleen! Honey!" cried the voice again. Looking up at the window, she saw Mrs. Quirk framed in the light as she peered out.
"I must go! I will!" she said.