"Let me go, you coward!" He was answered.

His arms melted from her.

He fell back a pace, very white and even trembling, the fire all gone from his eye, which was now turned dull and deadly.
"So be it," he said, and strode to the bell-rope.

"I'll not offend again.

I had not offended now"-- he continued, in the voice of one offering an explanation cold and formal--"but that when first I came into your life you seemed to bid me welcome." His fingers closed upon the crimson bell-cord.