'Have you married me, a woman beneath your station as I now perceive, because you were commanded to do so?
Have you not loved me?
given me that which alone makes marriage a sacrament or even a possibility?
and must you leave this house made sacred by the recumbent form of your dying father if I remain within it ?' "I saw my father's stiff and pallid lips move silently as though he would answer for me if he could, and summoning up what courage I possessed, I told her that I deeply regretted she had overheard my inconsiderate words.

That I had never meant to wound her, whatever bitterness lay in my heart towards one who had thwarted me in my dearest and most cherished hopes.

That I humbly begged her pardon and would so far acknowledge her claim upon me as to promise that I would not leave my home at this time, if it distressed her; my desire being not to injure her, only to protect myself.
"O the scorn that mounted to her brow at these weak words.

Not scorn of me, thank God, worthy as I was of it that hour, but scorn of my slight opinion of her.
"'Then I heard aright,' she murmured, and waited with a look that would not be gainsaid.
"I could only bow my head, cursing the day I was born.
"'Holman! Holman!' came in agonized entreaty from the bed, 'you will not rob me of my daughter now ?' "Startled, I looked up.

Luttra was half way to the door.
"'What are you going to do ?' cried I, bounding towards her.
"She stopped me with a look.