me to say; surely you should know that it is next to
impossible for her to remain here now."

He also had told me in words as plain as words could tell what she
felt. I must think, think alone. I found my way to my bedroom, but my
mind would not work there. I must get out under the broad sky, where
all was free. So again I left the house, went away towards the highest
point on the headland, where, hundreds of feet below, the waves were
lashing themselves into foam as they broke upon the great rugged rocks.

CHAPTER XII

NIGHT

"And Esau hated Jacob. . . . And Esau said in his heart, the days of
mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother
Jacob."--_The Book of Genesis._

It did not rain, but the wind blew a wild hurricane. Now and then it
seemed to cease, and I could hear a kind of moaning sound which the sea
made, but again it came as though it would sweep away the great rocks
that grimly defied the fury of the elements. I did not mind this,
everything accorded with my feelings. I found ease in breasting the
storm, I breathed more freely when the wind blew its loudest.

By and by the thunders began to roar and the lightnings to flash, still
no rain fell, so I did not mind.

But it was terrible to be alone on such a night, and with such a
problem to solve. For hours I think I was mad. I am sure that in my
frenzy my voice could be heard above the wind and wave. Nothing,
however, made me forget what lay before me. The future ever haunted
me, and turned the thunderings of the wave into derisive mocking
laughter.

Now and then I would stand and look at the old house, which I could
dimly see in the stormlight, and when I did so it became dearer than
ever to me. It was the home of my fathers, the place wherein they had
died, and my heart clave unto it. I felt proud of my name--proud that
I was born the representative of my family, and to give it up seemed
like pulling at my heart-strings.

And thus I was tempted in the night; I would maintain my position as
Trewinion's heir. I would wed Ruth. I would brave everything and
carry out the wish of my father. Ruth did not love me now, but she
might learn to love me in time, besides, I could not give her up. I
loved her--loved her supremely. All the strength of my nature, moulded
largely by wild surroundings and an uncultured people, was given to
her. I did not love tamely. It was no tender passion I felt, it was a
mad, pas