His cheeks quivered, his lips trembled, his voice swelled, his nervous fingers were riveted to his palm. He approached her and took her hand. She seemed to be benumbed by strong feeling. She had stood as one transfixed, a slow paralysis of surprise laying hold of her faculties. But at his touch her senses regained their mastery. She flung away his hand. Her breast heaved. In a voice charged with indignation, she said:
"So this is what you mean! I understand you at last!"
Huge Ritson fell back a pace.
"Greta, hear me—hear me again!"
But she had found her voice indeed.
"Sir, you have outraged your brother's heart as surely as if at this moment I had been your brother's wife!"
"Greta, think before you speak—think, I implore you!"
"I have thought! I have thought of you as your sister might think, and spoken to you as my brother. Now I know how mean of soul you are!"
Hugh broke in passionately:
"For God's sake, stop! I am an unforgiving man."