You have promised to know nothing of my acts, and I'll see you don't." Then he sprang from his chair and came to her with a hard, determined look upon his face.

"Look here, Di; I've gone too far in this game to back out now, I'm going to carry it through if it costs me my life and liberty--and yours into the bargain! I love Louise Merrick! I love her so well that without her the world and its mockeries can go to the devil! There's nothing worth living for but Louise--Louise.

She's going to be my wife, Diana--by fair means or foul I swear to make her my wife." He had worked himself up to a pitch of excitement surpassing that of Diana.

Now he passed his hand over his forehead, collected himself with a slight shudder, and resumed his seat.
Diana was astonished.

His fierce mood served to subdue her own.
Regarding him curiously for a time she finally asked: "You speak as if you were to be allowed to have your own way--as if all society was not arrayed against you.