"Please--tell me all over again now much you love me." But no answering hands met hers.

Instead, he drew away from her and faced her, stern-lipped.
"I must make you understand," he said.

"You don't know what it is that you are asking.

I've made shipwreck of my life, and I must pay the penalty.

But, by God, I'm not going to let you pay it, too! And if you married me, you would have to pay.