"Nothing has happened. It has stopped because I arranged with the engineer at the hoist to have it stop. When I give the signal it will start again."
"But...."
He brushed aside her futile protest. "I'm going to have this out with you. Dare you tell me that you don't love me, Moya?"
He forced her to meet his eyes, and in that moment she felt weak and faint. The throb of passion beat tumultuously against her will.
"Please ... be generous. What will they think? Let us start," she begged.
"They will think something is wrong with the machinery. But it doesn't matter in the least what they think. It's my last chance, and I'll not give it up. You've got to answer me."
The point where the bucket had stopped was a hundred feet above the ground below. She looked down, and shuddered.
"It's so far down ... please."
"Then don't look down. Look at me, Moya. It won't take you a moment to answer me."
"I have. I said I couldn't marry you."