"But you don't know what I have to say," he persisted.
"I know all I wish to know. Now let me pass."
She tried to make her way to the door, but he quickly caught her by the arm.
"You shall not go," he said.
At this she let out a scream, but he only smiled, while Sarah Higgins looked on curiously.
"Screaming will do you no good, Gertrude. This house is quarter of a mile from any other, and the road is but little used."
"You are cruel—let me go!" said she, and burst into tears.
"You shall never leave until you listen to me," he said. And then he tried his best to reason with her for fully an hour, but she would not hearken. At last she grew as pale as a sheet.
"This whole thing is a trick—the letter and all!" she gasped, and fell in a swoon. He caught her and carried her to an upper chamber of the cottage. Here he placed her on a couch, and then went below again, locking the door after him.