And to-night--" She paused a moment, for, her courage
notwithstanding, she had begun to tremble--"to-night,"--she said
again, and still paused, feeling his hand tighten upon her, feeling
her heart quicken almost intolerably under its weight.
"Yes?" he said, his voice low, intensely quiet, "Please finish!
What am I to do to-night?"
She faced him bravely, with all her strength. "I hope," she said,
"you will come and tell me you are sorry."
He threw up his head with a sharp gesture. She saw his eyes kindle
and burn with a flame she dared not meet.
A swift misgiving assailed her. She tried to release herself, but
he took her by the other shoulder also, holding her before him.
"And if I do all that," he said, a deep quiver in his voice that
thrilled her through and through, "what shall I get in return? How
shall I be rewarded?"
She gripped her self-control with a great effort, summoning that
high courage of hers which had never before failed her.
She smiled straight up at him, a splendid, resolute smile. "You
shall have--the kiss of peace," she said.
His expression changed. For a moment his hold became a grip that
hurt her--bruised her. She closed her eyes with an involuntary
catch of the breath, waiting, expecting she knew not what. Then,
very suddenly, the strain was over. He set her free and turned
from her.
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