He had no intention of breaking off the match now, no matter what she should do; and this was Thursday; there were only five more days to get through, and when once she should be his wife--and then he looked at her, as she stood in her dark, perfect dress, with the great, sable wrap slipping from her shoulders and making a regal background, and her beauty fired his senses and made his eyes swim; and he bent forward and took her hand.
"Very well, you beautiful, unkind thing," he said.

"But if you do not want to marry me you had better say so at once, and I will release you from your promise.

Because when the moment comes afterwards for our crossing of swords there will be no question as to who is to be master--I tell you that now." And Zara dragged her hand from him, and, with the black panther's glance in her eyes, she turned to the window and stood looking out.
Then after a second she said in a strangled voice, "I wish that the marriage shall take place .-- And now, please go." And without further words he went..