It was only when he began to spare her that she found herself wavering.

Why had he spared her?
she asked herself.

Why had he given her that single chance of escape?
Or, stay! Had he, after all, been generous?
Had he but affected generosity that he might the more completely subjugate her?
He had said that she must convince him that freedom from her chain would mean happiness to her.

And how could she ever convince him of this?
How?
How?
Would he ever see himself as she saw him--a monster of violence whose very presence appalled her?
The problem was hopeless, hopeless! She knew that she could never make him understand.
Swiftly the time passed, and with every minute her resolution grew weaker, her agitation more uncontrollable.

She could not do it.