The very sight of him is too much to endure." "You exaggerate," said he coldly.
"I do not; indeed I do not," she rejoined, looking frankly, pleadingly into his face.

"You do not realize what it is to suffer the insolent vigilance of such as he; to feel that your every step is under surveillance; to feel his eyes ever upon you when you are within his sight.

Oh, it is insufferable!" Suddenly he gripped her arm, his face within a hand's breadth of her own, his words falling hot and quickly on her ear.
"It is yours to end it when you will, Valerie," he passionately reminded her.

"Give yourself into my keeping.

Let it be mine to watch over you henceforth.