"I've grown to feel of late," she went on rapidly, "that it's a shame to dodge. The only law my husband has ever known is to take what he wants. I've the right to live my own life. We must each of us choose our world, the one of conventions and shams or the big one that's beyond--the world of reality, where free men and women live and work in freedom while youth and daring lead the way." She paused and Stuart's lips parted in amazement. Never had he heard such eloquence from the woman before him. Words leaped from her heart, quivering with emotion, her whole being stirred to its depths. "Jim," she went on falteringly, "I'm lonely and heartsick. I'm trying to tell you that I want your love; that I can't live any longer without it." Her head sank, low and a sob caught her voice. "There I've told you--I've no pride left. Tell me that you love me. I want to hear it a thousand times. I want it, right or wrong!" She paused a moment and looked through a tear into his pale, serious face. "I know that you love me," she went on. "It's only your stubborn pride that keeps you silent now. My God! Speak! Say something, if only to curse me!" "You should have thought of this, Nan, before these gray hairs began to creep into my hair." "I did, Jim!" she cried, eagerly bending, near. "God knows I fought! You never knew it, but I did. For whole nights I wrestled with the fiend that tempted me and fought for my love. It took days and weeks to strangle its hold on my heart and force me to betray myself. If I had seen you on the day of my marriage I would have leaped from the carriage, rushed to your side, and fainted in your arms. With the despair of a lost soul I searched the faces of the staring crowd, hoping against hope that I might see you. Oh, Jim, it's not too late to live! Look at me, dearest, and say it's not. For God's sake tell me that you love me still! Am I old? Am I faded?" The man had felt sure of himself when she began, but the tenderness, the passion, the yearning appeal of her voice were more than he could resist. A wave of desperate longing convulsed his being. He seized her hand with cruel force. "Look into my eyes, Nan!" he cried, "and let me see the bottom of your soul!" She lifted her dark lustrous eyes, devouring him with love. "You'll find only your image there, Jim." He looked at her sternly. "Before I take you into my arms and smother you with kisses," he whispered fiercely, "there mustn't be any mistake this time. I've got to know that your love for me is the biggest thing in your life--the only thing in your life!" "I swear it!" she gasped. "You've got to prove it; I'm going to put you to the test." "Any test!" she broke in quickly. "I warn you," he went on, with increasing seriousness, "the test will be a real one. You and I, Nan, could never be happy with the shadow of Bivens's fortune over us."