He would not be frustrated.

He caught her hand away.

He held her to his heart.

He kissed the red lips hotly, with the savage freedom of a nature long restrained.
"Who has a greater right ?" he said, with fiery exultation.
She did not answer him.

But at the first touch of his lips upon her own she resisted no longer, only broke into agonized tears.
And suddenly Merryon came to himself--was furiously, overwhelmingly ashamed.
"God forgive me!" he said, and let her go.
She tottered a little, covering her face with her hands, sobbing like a hurt child.