His voice came upon her like a blow. She flinched at the sound of
it--flinched and obeyed.

"Let me go!" she gasped out. "He--may be drowning--at this moment!"

"Let him drown!" said Rufus.

She lifted her tortured face in frenzied protest, but it died upon her
lips. For in that moment she met his eyes, and the blazing blue of them
made her feel as though spirit had been poured upon her flame, consuming
her. Words failed her utterly. She stood palpitating in his hold, not
breathing--a wild thing trapped.

Slowly he bent towards her. "Let him drown!" he said again. "Do you
think I'm going to let you throw your life away for a cur like that?"

There was uncloaked ferocity in the question. His hold was merciless.

"I saved you," he said. "It wasn't especially easy. But I did it. For
the matter of that, I'd have gone through hell for you. And do you think
I'm going to let you go again--now?"

She did not answer him. Only her lips moved stiffly, as though they
formed words she could not utter. She could not take her eyes from his,
though his looks seared her through and through.

He went on, deeply, with gathering force. "He'd have let you be swept
away. He didn't care. All he wanted was to get you for his picture. That
was all he made love to you for. He'd have sacrificed you to the devil
for that. You don't believe me, maybe, but I know--I know!"