And his own heart beat hotly in his throat.

For if this failed, what other way was left?
Yet to go and leave her here, alone in that rotting cottage on the hill....

the prey of any ghastly fate....

no, it couldn't be done.
He must convince her.

He must.
"My friend," said Desire (he loved her odd, old-fashioned way of calling him "my friend"), "I admit that you have tempted me.