"But you _must_ help me. I cannot do without you."

"For God's sake say no more! Every feeling of my heart revolts at the
thought! Just think, for a moment, what it is you ask of me! Think what
would be my feelings! Love is incompatible with your request. How can I see
you debase yourself and me by such an act?"

"I only desire you to decide between this and a worse debasement. Which
will you choose?"

"What mean you?"

"That I will only marry you on condition you will accede to my present
proposition."

"Have you not told me, time and again, that you looked upon me as your wife
by the highest of all laws, the laws of nature and of God? How, then, can
you talk of not making me legally yours, in the sight of men?"

"I will, I tell you, if you will do as I wish in the present instance.
Come, be kind, be gentle and loving, as you ever have been, and we will
soon be completely happy by acknowledging our love before men, at the
altar."

"This again! Oh, tempter, betray me not!"

"You have your choice. I will _never_ marry you if you refuse my present
offer, NEVER! Whose, then, will be the shame? Which will you be, an
honorable wife, or a despised offcast? Your destiny is in your own hands,