You are to be my wife in a week's time: will you take me into your confidence or not ?" To hesitate was, in this case, literally to be lost.

Mercy's sense of justice told her that Horace had claimed no more than his due.

She answered instantly: "I will follow you to the library, Horace, in five minutes." Her prompt and frank compliance with his wishes surprised and touched him.

He took her hand.
She had endured all that his angry sense of injury could say.

His gratitude wounded her to the quick.