But there can be no middle course.

She shall not be exposed to the damnable risk of finding herself stranded." He ceased to speak, and in the moonlight their eyes met as the eyes of men who grip together in a death-struggle.
The silence between them was more terrible than words.

It held unutterable things.
Dacre spoke at last, his voice low and hoarse.

"I can't do it.

There is too much involved.