He had held himself in hand, but as he heard the decision in her tone his passion mastered him.
"Never is a mighty long time; you have got to yield sooner or later. I can make you!"
Geraldine rose with all the dignity she could assume; but he moved between her and the door.
"Wait a bit," he said with a harsh laugh. "Now, what's the matter with me?"
"I think I need only say that you're very far from being the kind of man I could marry. Let me pass!"
"Well," he said, "I know my value. I'll stand comparison with that finicking Englishman!"
Her blush told that this shot had reached the mark and he turned on her with fury.
"You'll never get him! Count on that; I'll break the fellow!"
Geraldine recoiled. She thought that he meant to seize her; he was capable of it. Indeed, he moved a pace or two, but this gave her an opportunity for reaching the door. There she turned and saw that he was watching her with a curious grim smile.