"I will speak, for I care nothing for all this.

It is you I love--love forever.

Do you understand me, darling?
I love you! I love you!" For an instant,--one glad, weak, helpless, forgetful instant,--she did not see him, did not even know herself; the very world was lost.

Then she awoke as if from a dream, his strong arms clasped about her, his lips upon hers.
"You must not," she sobbed.

"I tell you no! I will not consent; I will not be false to myself.