"I don't know—I swear I don't know!" he said hoarsely.
"What is it, Marsh—why are you so unhappy? Just because you love me? What an unkind thing to say!"
He turned to the table to pour himself a drink, but she caught his hand.
"For my sake, Marsh!" she entreated.
Again he looked down into her eyes.
"For my sake," she repeated softly.
"By God, I'll never touch another drop!" he said.
"Oh, you make me so happy!" she exclaimed.
He crushed her in his arms until his muscles were tense. She did not struggle for release, but abandoned herself without a word to the emotion of the moment. Her head thrown back, her cheeks pale, her full lips smiling, she gazed up into his face with eyes burning with sudden fire.
"How I love you!" he whispered.