Long, glowing minutes passed. Zayata extended his hands and gently lifted the girl’s wrists.
“Margaret,” he said softly. “Now is the time for your answer.”
Margaret’s reply was on her lips. All doubts had left her. She felt that she loved this man. But before she spoke the word, the girl had a sudden recollection of that page in the Book of Death.
She could not understand it, but a grim thought swept through her brain. She looked squarely into Zayata’s eyes. Now, for the first time, she detected a glow that filled her with horror.
“My answer?” she asked.
“Yes,” replied Zayata.
“It is ‘No!’” declared the girl. “I understand now. You have been deceiving me — trying to hide your evil nature!”
The glaring eyes of the man proved that the girl’s words were true. Margaret, inspired by a sudden fury, reached forward and struck Zayata full in the face. She arose and tried to go toward the door. But her steps faltered. She fell exhausted on the floor.
“I give you one more opportunity,” came Zayata’s cold tones. “Time is short. You must answer now. Will you marry me?”
“No!” screamed the girl. “Never! I hate you! I understand it now. You were no friend of Robert’s. You were his enemy—”