He would not--surely he would not--struggle with her! Surely she must discomfit him--rout him utterly--by this means! Yes, she had won! The sheer unexpectedness of her action had gained the day! Her heart gave a great leap of triumph as he took his hand away.
But the next instant it stood still.

For in the twinkling of an eye he had taken her by the shoulders holding her fast.
"That is the most foolish thing you ever did in your life," he said, and his words came curt and clipped as though he spoke them through his teeth.
Something about him restrained her from offering any resistance.

She stood in silence, her heart jerking on again with wild palpitations.

The grip of his hands was horribly close; she almost thought he was going to shake her.

But his eyes under their bristling brows held her even more securely.