"I cannot, and you know it."
"You are wrong. Do you think for one moment that your father and mother would accept the wretched sacrifice you are making of your life if they knew—"
"The old arguments again," she said impatiently.
"There is a new argument," said Malcourt, staring at her.
"What new argument?"
"Hamil."
Then the vivid colour surged anew from neck to hair, and she rose in the hammock, bewildered, burning, incensed.
"If it were true," she stammered, leaning on one arm, "do you think me capable of disgracing my own people?"
"The disgrace will be mine and yours. Is not Hamil worth it?"
"No man is worth any wrong I do to my own family!"