He took her hands, drew her to him, and comforted her.
"Will you have me, to marry me ?" he said very low.
Oh, why did not he take her?
Her very soul belonged to him.

Why would he not take what was his?
She had borne so long the cruelty of belonging to him and not being claimed by him.

Now he was straining her again.

It was too much for her.

She drew back her head, held his face between her hands, and looked him in the eyes.