But--it had come to this--she did not dare to tell him so.
He waited quietly for a few seconds; then unexpectedly, but without vehemence, he held out his hand to her.
"Anne," he said, a subtle change in his deep voice, "fight against me, and you will be miserable, for I am bound to conquer you.

But come to me--come to me of your own free will--and I swear before Heaven that I will make you happy." But Nan held back with horror, almost with loathing, in her eyes.

She did not utter a word.

There was no need.
His hand fell.

For a second the fire that smouldered in his eyes shot upwards to a flame, but it died down again instantly.