"
"I know well the value of such a heart as yours, Mr. Emilius."
"Accept it then, dearest one."
"Love will not always go by command, Mr. Emilius."
"No, indeed; nor at command will it stay away. Do you think I have not
tried that? Do you believe that for a man it can be pleasant to be
rebuffed; that for one who up to this day has always walked on, triumphant
over every obstacle, who has conquered every nay that has obstructed his
path, it can have less of bitterness than the bitterness of death to
encounter a no from the lips of a woman?"
"A poor woman's no should be nothing to you, Mr. Emilius."
"It is everything to me, death, destruction, annihilation, unless I can
overcome it. Darling of my heart, queen of my soul, empress presiding over
the very spirit of my being, say, shall I overcome it now?"
She had never been made love to after this fashion before. She knew, or
half knew, that the man was a scheming hypocrite, craving her money, and
following her in the hour of her troubles, because he might then have the
best chance of success. She had no belief whatever in his love; and yet
she liked it, and approved his proceedings.
Pages:
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198
1199
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
1207
1208
1209
1210
1211
1212