"I mean what I say. I'm ready to marry your mother."
"When?"
"At once. You shall plead my cause for me. You shall add your voice to mine—"
"That isn't necessary. You know mother is only waiting for you. It means so much to her that she couldn't refuse."
"Doesn't it mean anything to you?"
Natalie nodded. "It means more to me than to any one else, perhaps. I have been carrying a great burden, almost more than I can bear. Sometimes I've wished I were a man—for just long enough to make you pay. Oh yes," she continued, as he started to protest. "Don't let us begin this new life with any false conceptions; you may as well know that I shall always hate you. We shall see very little of each other."
"Nonsense! I can't let you feel like that. I sha'n't rest until I win back your love and confidence."
She eyed him searchingly for a moment, then opened her lips to speak, but closed them.
"Well?" he prompted her. "Let us be frank with each other."
"I'm merely wondering how greatly your decision has been influenced by the storm and the fight at the railroad crossing. I understand how you feel toward Mr. O'Neil, and I know that he means to crush you."