before. I've forced myself to wait, to hope, to be patient. I thought
that perhaps ... Judith, my dearest, I can't do that any longer. I can't
trust myself near you any more. The strain of appearing calm and
contented when I'm here leaves me wretched afterward. I've tried hard to
feel it as well as seem it. But it's no use. I can't. Even my work's no
help. You're between me and it all the time. I hoped it would bring me
nearer to you. But something--someone--it simply can't go on. I can't
stand it. Either you marry me--or we've got to separate for good. I..."

"Arnold--what nonsense!" cried Judith. "Why..." As she lifted her eyes
and felt his hot gaze upon her, she caught her breath and was silent.
Neither spoke for what seemed hours, the only sound the ticking of the
great clock in the hall. Then, with a suddenness that stunned, Imrie's
strong arms were around her.

"I guess you need to be taken, my girl!" The words seemed driven through
his teeth. "I've been too ... polite. The last time I kissed you I was
ashamed of myself. I think if I'd kissed you twice I'd have you now. But
it's never too late..."

Imrie had a powerful frame. She was impotent to prevent the eager kisses
he showered upon her.

"Too polite!" he ground from between set jaws, "Not enough--sheer
_man_..."

And then, with the force of a blow, the gust of passion vanished, as he
realised that she was not struggling. She lay in his arms, her eyes
closed, as if she had swooned, but with the faintest of smiles playing
around her lips. He felt suddenly sheepish and awkward. He had seized
her with the force of desperation, bent upon having his will with her,
whether she would or no. He had half expected her to scream or scratch,
to play the primal woman to his primal man. Yet here she was, lying
quiet in his arms, as if--as if ... she liked it! It was incredible. It
was like stooping to pick up a great weight, only to find it tissue
paper. He was thrown back upon himself, all weak and trembling and
amazed and delighted ... a complex of more emotions than he could
possibly enumerate. But as he strove to articulate, to say something,
however banal, he became aware that Judith's eyes had opened.

It was an absurd thought, he told himself, but she seemed to be
listening--and not to him. Then he became conscious of a bell ringing
somewhere in the house, and suddenly Judith sprang from him like an
arrow from a bow.

He sat down helplessly. All his tired bra