You say self-control is only depravity afraid....

That is true; but I have made my depravity fear me.

I can do what I please with it now; I can tempt it, laugh at it, silence it.

But it cost me something to make a slave of it--what you saw in my face is the claw-mark it left fighting me to the death." Very straight on his knees beside her he bent again, pressing her rigid knees with his lips.
"I need you, Geraldine--I need all that is best in you; you must love me--take me as an ally, dear, against all that is worst in you.

I'll love you so confidently that we'll kill it--you and I together--my strength and yours, my bitter and deep understanding and your own sweet contempt for weakness wherever it may be, even in yourself." He touched her; and she shuddered under the light caress, still bent almost double, and covering her face with both hands.