Did you ever hear of that man before ?" She had straightened up, quivering, wide eyed, lips parted.

He rose and walked slowly into her room, confronting her under the full glare of light.
Her pistol fell clattering to the floor.

It did not explode because it was not loaded.
"Now," he said unsteadily, "will you give me my freedom?
I have waited for it--not minutes--but years--six years.

I ask it now--the freedom I enjoyed before I ever saw you.

Can you give it back to me?
Can you restore to me a capacity for happiness?
Can you give me a heart to love with--love some woman, as other men love?
Is it very much I ask of you--to give me a chance in life--the chance I had before I ever saw you ?" Her big gray eyes seemed fascinated; he looked deep into them, smiling; and she turned white.
"Will you give me what I ask ?" he said, still smiling.
She strove to speak; she could not, but her eyes never faltered.
Suddenly the color flooded her neck and cheeks to the hair, and the quick tears glimmered.
"I--I did not understand; I was too young to be cruel," she faltered.
"How could I know what I was doing?
Or what--what you did ?" "I?
To _you_ ?" "Y-yes.