There was to be no escape then. Once more the stronger will prevailed.
Without another word she turned from him and went upstairs. She might
have defied him, but she knew in her heart that he could compass his
ends in spite of her. And she was afraid.

She had a moment of absolute panic as she mounted into the high cart. He
handed her up, and his grasp, close and firm, seemed to her eloquent of
that deadly resolution with which he mastered her.

For the first half-mile he said nothing whatever, being fully occupied
with the animal he was driving--a skittish young mare impatient of
restraint.

Doris on her side sat in unbroken silence, enduring the strain with a
set face, dreading the moment when he should have leisure to speak.

He was evidently in no hurry to do so. Or was it possible that he found
some difficulty in choosing his words?

At length he turned his head and spoke.

"I secured this interview," he said, "because there is an important
point which I want to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

She nerved herself to meet his look, but her eyes fell before its steady
mastery almost instantly.

"About our wedding," he said in his calm, deliberate voice. "I should