"Well, so be it!" said Severance. "I'm a beast, if you like, and you're the female of my kind. All the more reason why you belong to me. Nothing shall separate us again. Even if we can't marry----" "Let me go out of this room!" the girl cried sharply. "No! Your _mother_ approved of my plan, I tell you, Marise. She saw it was the only way, for me to take you----" "I don't believe it! There's not an unconventional drop of blood in Mums' veins. If she wanted me to be 'taken' anywhere, it would be to her. She would have come to this hotel, and received me. Then, perhaps, I would have stayed--but not for you. I don't _love_ you, Tony! I've discovered that. I wouldn't marry you if I could." "You're out of your senses!" he cried. "You may think what you say at this minute, because you're angry. But your _heart's_ mine. I won't let you go----" "If you don't, I'll scream," threatened Marise. "Open that door at once, or I'll yell at the top of my lungs." "I don't think you will," said Severance. "You don't like scenes, except on the stage. Besides, I don't care a damn if you do yell. It won't change things in the end." The girl's answer was to lift her voice and shriek as only a trained actress can shriek. Instantly, before she had reached her highest note, Garth stepped over the low window-sill. "I was waiting for that," he said. "I knew you were here, Marise, so I lurked on the loggia. Unlock that door, Severance." The other man was olive grey with rage and disappointment. It occurred to Marise that he looked seasick. "Unlock the damned thing yourself!" he spat, and flung the key on the floor. It landed near Garth's feet. But Garth did not stoop. "Pick up the key," he said quietly. "I'm damned if I will!" sputtered Severance. "Not so many damns, please," said Garth. "They bore me." He took a Browning from his pocket and aimed it neatly at the centre of Severance's forehead. "Better pick up the key," he added. Severance picked it up. "Now unlock the door." Severance unlocked it, and walked out into the hall. Then he slammed the door after him. Voices were heard. "Somebody's come to inquire why somebody screamed," said Garth, pocketing the weapon again. "If they knock here, it's all right. Mr. and Mrs. Garth have a right to a _tête-à-tête_ anywhere. I'll say you thought you saw a mouse. That'll settle their doubts forever." But nobody knocked. "Don't be afraid," Garth went on. "Even if you came in here because you wanted to come, I shan't make a row. But somehow I've got a 'hunch' that you didn't want to." "I didn't," said Marise. "He pulled you in?" "Yes. I didn't think much of it at first. But----"