"Yeoland! Yeoland! have you no word for me?"
Her hand trembled to the door; her fingers closed upon the key. She hesitated and her dangling rosary caught her glance; sudden revulsions of purpose flooded back; she stumbled away from the door like one about to faint.
"I cannot, I cannot," she said.
"I will break down the door."
The threat inspired her.
"No, no, not thus can you win me."
"I will break in."
"Attempt it, and I will call the guard. You will lose hope of me for ever. I swear it."
Her voice rang true and strong as a sword. With her judgment, silence fell again, and ages seemed to crawl over the world. When the man spoke again, his voice was less masterful, more pathetic.
"Have you no hope for me?" it said.