"It is for your good--your good only I am thinking," he declared.
"Then let me be the judge of what is best," she answered.
He was silent. He felt his heart beat faster and faster--his
self-restraint slipping away. After all, what did it matter?--it or
anything else in the world? She was within reach of his arms,
beautiful, compelling, herself as it seemed suddenly conscious of the
light which was burning in his eyes. A quick flush stained her cheeks.
She put out her hands to avoid his embrace.
"No!" she exclaimed. "You must not. It is impossible."
His arms were around her. He only laughed his defiance.
"I will make it possible," he cried. "I will make all things
possible."
Anna was bewildered. She did not know herself. Only she was conscious
of an unfamiliar and wonderful emotion. She gave her lips to his
without resistance. All her protests seemed stifled before she could
find words to utter them. With a little sigh of happiness she accepted
this new thing.