But what can you do in the cold, rough world alone?
you, a young and inexperienced woman, delicately nurtured, and utterly--' 'In a word, you would advise me to stay where I am,' interrupted I.
'Well, I'll see about it.' 'By all means, leave him!' cried he earnestly; 'but NOT alone! Helen! let me protect you!' 'Never! while heaven spares my reason,' replied I, snatching away the hand he had presumed to seize and press between his own.

But he was in for it now; he had fairly broken the barrier: he was completely roused, and determined to hazard all for victory.
'I must not be denied!' exclaimed he, vehemently; and seizing both my hands, he held them very tight, but dropped upon his knee, and looked up in my face with a half-imploring, half-imperious gaze.

'You have no reason now: you are flying in the face of heaven's decrees.

God has designed me to be your comfort and protector--I feel it, I know it as certainly as if a voice from heaven declared, "Ye twain shall be one flesh"-- and you spurn me from you--' 'Let me go, Mr.Hargrave!' said I, sternly.

But he only tightened his grasp.
'Let me go!' I repeated, quivering with indignation.
His face was almost opposite the window as he knelt.