Did she choose him for better or for worse, deliberately, of her own free will, or was Trina herself allowed even a choice in the taking of that step that was to make or mar her life?
The Woman is awakened, and, starting from her sleep, catches blindly at what first her newly opened eyes light upon.

It is a spell, a witchery, ruled by chance alone, inexplicable--a fairy queen enamored of a clown with ass's ears.
McTeague had awakened the Woman, and, whether she would or no, she was his now irrevocably; struggle against it as she would, she belonged to him, body and soul, for life or for death.

She had not sought it, she had not desired it.

The spell was laid upon her.

Was it a blessing?
Was it a curse?
It was all one; she was his, indissolubly, for evil or for good.
And he?
The very act of submission that bound the woman to him forever had made her seem less desirable in his eyes.