“I told you why; because I love you.”
He stepped up to her, and caught both her hands in an iron grip.
“Now, listen to me, Hal. Don’t try to break away, for I won’t let you go. I tell you it’s a matter of life and death. In your heart you know quite well that I love you. You knew it when I kissed you last Saturday, and you were glad. I don’t know when you read that announcement, but whenever it was, your heart said to you ‘Whether it’s true or not, he loves me’. Probably you didn’t believe it was true, because you knew nothing whatever about the devilish mess I was in. But in any case, your heart told you right. I do love you. I love you with every bit of me that knows how to love. If I have to be hers in name, I am at any rate yours at heart, and shall be all my life. Now, what have you to say?”
She tried to drag her hands away, but he gripped them tightly, forcing her to feel his strength, his resolve, and his masterfulness.
“I have nothing to say. What should I have? You have elected to sell yourself, to let a woman”—with swift scorn—“buy you out of a tight corner. I… I…” in a low tense voice, “am sorry we ever met.”
“Why?—”
He hurled the monosyllable at her, now almost crushing her hands in his grasp, as he waited, silently compelling her to reply.
“Because the friendship was pleasant. It has meant a good deal. And now for it to end like this!… for me to have to scorn you.”
“Why need it end?… Why should you scorn me?… Wouldn’t every second man you know in my place act exactly as I am acting? I have no choice. I ought not to tell you, but my political chiefs have issued an ultimatum to me, and I have got to obey it. Do you suppose I would consider it for a moment if I could find any other way out? Do you suppose I would risk losing you, would even dream of giving you up, if I were not driven to it by the very hell-hounds of circumstance?
“To have felt love at all is the most wonderful thing in my life: I, who have always mocked and jeered and disbelieved. Well, anyhow it is there now. Listen, Hal. I love you. I love you? I love you.”