"It ought to be pretty simple. You're the girl I mean to marry; I set my heart on it some time ago." "_Mean_ to marry? You're not diffident." Mappin laughed and his amusement filled her with repulsion. She was not encouraging, he thought; but he had not expected her to be so. "No," he replied, "I'm not. Bashfulness doesn't pay, and I haven't had time to study saying pretty things. I want you--there it is." "It's a pity you didn't tell me this earlier. It might have saved you some disappointment," said Geraldine. She was angry and alarmed, but keenly interested. She had not expected that her first offer would take this abrupt form; but there was no doubting the strong primitive passion in the man. It was a force to be reckoned with; one could not treat it with indifference. He looked big and clumsy as he stood with his eyes fixed on her, but his face and pose suggested power. "Well," he explained, "there was a reason. I was pretty low down in the world; I hadn't much to offer, and I wouldn't have you think I wanted you for your money. Now I've got on; I begin to see how I'm going to make a big success. There's no longer anything to stop my claiming you." This sounded sincere, but it was unthinkable that she should feel any tenderness for the man, and he must be made to understand. "Mr. Mappin," she began; but he checked her. "Let me get through. You shall have all you want: a house in Montreal or Toronto, as you like, smart friends and position--guess if I set my mind on it I can get them. In fact, you shall have what you wish--you'll only need to ask for it. I want my wife to take a leading place, and I'll see she gets there." "I'm sorry, but it's impossible for me to marry you," said Geraldine firmly. Mappin regarded her with a grim smile. "You look as if you meant it." "I do." Geraldine tried hard to preserve her calm. "Please understand that my mind is made up." "Oh," he replied tolerantly, "I didn't expect to get you first try. Guess I'll have to wait until you get used to the idea." "I shall never get used to it!" He had held himself in hand, but as he heard the decision in her tone his passion mastered him. "Never is a mighty long time; you have got to yield sooner or later. I can make you!" Geraldine rose with all the dignity she could assume; but he moved between her and the door. "Wait a bit," he said with a harsh laugh. "Now, what's the matter with me?" "I think I need only say that you're very far from being the kind of man I could marry. Let me pass!" Mappin barred her way. "Well," he said, "I know my value. I'll stand comparison with that finicking Englishman!" Her blush told that this shot had reached the mark and he turned on her with fury. "You'll never get him! Count on that; I'll break the fellow!"