"Don't talk about him."
"I shall if I want to. What did you say about me?"
"Shall I tell you?" he asked suddenly, as he sat beside her. "I told him how wholesome and how sweet you were. That's what I said."
"Ssh!"
"Do you know what I should have said?"
Mavis made a last effort to preserve her being from the thraldom of love. It was in her heart to leave Perigal there and then, but although the spirit was all but willing, the flesh was weak. As before in his presence, Mavis was rendered helpless by the odd fascination Perigal exercised.
"Do you know what I should have said?" he repeated.
Mavis essayed to speak; her tongue would not give speech.
"I'll tell you. I should have said that I love you, and that nothing in heaven or earth is going to stop my getting you."
"I must go," she said, without moving.