But she was utterly powerless.

His dark face bent down closer and closer.

Suddenly Ellen ceased trying to struggle.
She was like a stricken creature paralyzed by the piercing, hypnotic eyes of a snake.

Yet in spite of her terror, if he meant death by her, she welcomed it.
"Ellen Jorth, I'm thinkin' yet--you lie!" he said, low and tense between his teeth.
"No! No!" she screamed, wildly.

Her nerve broke there.