“Having this sentiment,” Tarsis asked, “why did you promise yourself to me?”
“It is true,” she answered, “that in the interest of others I consented to become your wife; but that was before I knew the meaning of love.”
Frankly she told him that the thought of the union he wished was hideous in her sight; it would be a sacrilege, the defilement of a sacred emotion and her nature rebelled in a degree that was beyond her control.
“Sincerely I wish to do all that honor requires,” she said, humbly, “but to live in such a state I cannot, come what may.”
Tarsis comprehended fully the difficulty as it now presented itself, and he was equal to it. An effectual method of his in business was to make it easy for the other party to yield to his interest. It mattered little to him on what terms she accepted him as her husband. He would have given the greater part of his fortune to assure the performance of the ceremony which the world awaited at noon.
“There is an alternative,” he said, solemnly, “that would satisfy the obligation honor puts upon you and at the same time leave inviolate the sentiment you have just expressed.”
“An alternative?” she repeated, wondering.
“Yes. I will be satisfied if you become my wife only in name—in the eyes of society, the Church, and the civil law.”
Hera understood as she had not until then how desperate was the strait to which her refusal had brought him. For a moment she did not answer the entreaty in his eyes. She walked to the open window and looked out on the night. Tarsis had planned shrewdly in keeping this for the last card to play. In her state of mind it was the one appeal that could have the effect he desired. To Hera the offer did seem the only way that remained of serving honor as well as saving herself from what she contemplated as a loathsome degradation. The inevitable misery of the sort of relation he proposed rose before her mind; but of her happiness she thought no more, so eager was she to mitigate in some degree the wrong of which she perceived he must be the greater victim. Presently Tarsis was at her side again, saying:
“Will you do this? Be my wife only in name. On these terms, if you will, you may redeem your promise—you may save me.”