"I beg your pardon ?" "You are wrong!" she said again, and it was as if some inner force inspired the words.

She spoke without conscious volition of her own.
"Max Wyndham has asked me to marry him--and marry him I will!" She never knew with what triumphant finality she spoke, but the effect of her words was instant and terrible.

Even as they left her lips, she saw the dark blood rise in a wave to his forehead, swelling the veins there to purple cords.

His eyes became suddenly bloodshot and glittered devilishly.

His hands clenched, and she almost thought he was going to strike her.
With a desperate effort she faced him without a tremor, instinctively aware that courage alone could save her.
For fully thirty seconds he said no word, and as they slipped away she saw the dreadful wave of passion gradually recede.