"I would save you from a terrible sin," said Hugh Ritson, once again.
"Out of my way!" cried Paul, in a thick voice, and he lifted his clinched fist.
"Take care, I tell you," said Hugh.
Paul looked dangerous; his forehead contracted into painful lines; his quick breathing beat on Hugh's face.
"For the love of Heaven, get out of my way!"
But with awful strength and fury his fist fell at that moment, and Hugh Ritson was dashed to the ground.
In an instant Paul had lifted his foot to trample him, but he staggered back in horror at the impulse, his face ghastly white, his eyes red like the sun above snow. Then there was silence, and then Paul gasped in a flood of emotion:
"Get up! get up! Hugh, Hugh! get up!"
He darted to the door and threw it open.
"Come in, come in! will nobody come?" he cried.