She was beset by a sudden loathing of him and of herself, and pushing away his bended face, she tried to sit more erect. "Stop!" she cried fiercely. "Don't touch me. I did not mean to give way so. I detest you!" "Ah, my little rebel,"--and he spoke in no pleased tone,--"have I to fight the battle all over?" "You have taken an unfair, a dishonorable advantage of me," she said. "I am not used to such manners as you have shown. But I tell you this,--although you have forced me to become your wife, you cannot force my love." "So it would seem," was his grim answer. "Where do you purpose taking me?" she demanded, all her wits now well in hand. "That shall be just as you say, sweet mistress," he replied, so good-naturedly as to surprise her. "Then take me at once to my father's house," she ordered, with her natural imperiousness. "So be it," he said. "And that will be on my own way, as it leads to Jameson's." They rode in silence along the snowy road, whose whiteness and the stars made the only light, until they were within her father's grounds, and partially up the driveway. Here she bade him let her down; and he dismounted silently and lifted her from the horse, detaining her as she stood alongside him, as in her heart she had hoped he would. And yet had he not done this, she would have gone her way without a word. "Is there any doubt but that you will get within the house all safe?" he asked anxiously. "None." She lifted her face, and he wished there were a better light with which to see her. "And now," he said, "what is your will that I do?" Dorothy answered quickly and with angry decision. "Go away and leave me," she exclaimed, "and never speak to me again!" She could not see the look of pain come to his face. But he still lingered beside her, and asked again, "And you are certain to get within the house, and that you fear naught?" "I fear nothing!" she said impatiently. "Aye,--I should have cause to know better than ask such a question," he declared, in a voice that sounded as if now he might be smiling. Then he asked, "And you mean it,--that I leave you, and keep away?" "Yes, yes; let me go." And she sought to escape from his grasp. But he held her firmly, and still closer. "Do you realize, sweet mistress, that you are my wife,--my own little wife?" She did not reply; and bending his head nearer, he exclaimed passionately: "My own wife you are, and no man can change that,--never, never! And now, having gained you, I am content to await your pleasure. My lips shall be sealed until you choose to open them; and until you send for me, sweet mistress of my heart, I shall not come nigh you. Only, I pray you, in God's name, not to let the time be far away." "Let me go," was all she could say, dismayed as she was by the weight of sorrow that had come to her, and threatened those whom she loved. He released her without another word, and she fled swiftly to the house.