"
Had he seen her face then, it might have warned him to take care; but
he heard her words only, and they were not at all in keeping with her
face.
"I see I can't," was what she cried, almost in a whisper.
"It is all true, Alice, is it not?"
"I suppose so. I don't know; I don't care." She swung round in her
chair and caught his sleeve. Her hands clung to it. "Say you love me
now," she said. "I cannot live without your love after this. What
shall I do to make you love me? Tell me, and I will do it."
He could not stop himself, for he mistrusted her still.
"I will not be your slave," he said, through his teeth. "You shall be
mine."
"Yes, yes."
"You shall submit to me in everything. If I say 'come,' you shall come
to wheresoever it may be; and if I say 'stay,' and leave you for ever,
you shall stay."
"Very well," she said eagerly. She would have her revenge when he was
her slave.
"You can continue to be the haughty Lady Disdain to others, but you
shall be only obedient little Alice to me."
"Very well." She drew his arm towards her and pressed her lips upon
it. "And for that you will love me a little, won't you? You will love
me at last, won't you?" she entreated.
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