"No," she said; "you have come to threaten me—a sure sign that you yourself have some secret cause for fear."
It was a home-thrust, and Hugh was hit.
"Greta, I repeat it, you are marrying the wrong man."
"What right have you to say so?"
"The right of one who could part you forever with a word."
Greta was sore perplexed. Like a true woman, she would have given half her fortune at that moment to probe this mystery. But her indignation got the better of her curiosity.
"It is false!" she said.
"It is true!" he answered. "I could speak the word that would part you wider than the poles asunder."
"Then I challenge you to speak it," she exclaimed.
They faced each other, pale, and with quivering lips.