to introduce your name into that company last night, and that what
Richard did was a just and well-deserved punishment upon me. This will
I do if you'll but count upon my love."

She looked up at him fearfully, yet with flutterings of hope. "What
is't you mean?" she asked him faintly.

"That if you'll promise to be my wife..."

"Your wife!" she interrupted him. She struggled to free herself,
released one arm and struck him in the face. "Let me go, you coward!"

He was answered. His arms melted from her. He fell back a pace, very
white and even trembling, the fire all gone from his eye, which was now
turned dull and deadly.

"So be it," he said, and strode to the bell-rope. "I'll not offend again.
I had not offended now " - he continued, in the voice of one offering
an explanation cold and formal - "but that when first I came into your
life you seemed to bid me welcome." His fingers closed upon the crimson
bell-cord. She guessed his purpose.

"Wait!" she gasped, and put forth her hand. He paused, the rope in his,
his eye kindling anew. "You ... you mean to kill Richard now?" she
asked him.

A swift lifting of his brows was his only answer. He tugged the cord.
>From the distance the peal of the bell reached them faintly.

"Oh, wait, wait!" she begged, her hands pressed against her cheeks. He