He knew, as he had said, that her answer meant life or death to him, the life of infinite, nameless joy, the death of life in death.
Was he going to lose her?
The very question set him trembling.

He held out his quivering hand and looked at it, and set his teeth.

Heaven and earth, how strange it was! This girl had taken possession of him body and soul; every fibre of his being clamoured for her.

To be near her, just to be able to see her, hear her, meant happiness; to be torn from her-- The sweat broke out on his forehead and he laughed grimly.
"And this is love!" he said, between his teeth.

"Yes--and it's the only love of my life.