The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 107: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BY RIGHT OF SWORD. 107 ‘* Alexis, do you really love me ?’’ The question was an exceedingly unpleasant one and filled me with disgust. ‘‘Surely this is no time for us to speak of such things,’’ I said. ‘‘Do you love me, Alexis? ’’ she repeated. ‘*T will not answer now,’’ I said, rising. ‘“Why not? Why should we not speak of love now—now, aye and always? Or is your passion so poor and sickly a thing that a puff from the wind of pro- priety kills it? Not speak of such things! I would plight my love to you across the very body of the dead man!’’ She spoke with passionate vehe- mence. ‘‘ Remember what I told you—your life is mine. You cannot escape me. Now, tell me, do you love me?’”’ ‘‘T have given my answer, andif you ask that question again today I will not stop in the room,’’ I saidangrily ; the woman’s persistency increased my disgust. She laughed—a half hysterical laugh of anger. ‘So you will not stop in the room and will never I suppose return. Be care- ful,’’ she cried, with one of her quick, passionate changes, ‘‘ or I will send you away and never let you come back except begging for mercy on your knees for yourself and your sister.’’ She turned away and stood by the window ; and I could see by her movements that she was struggling with violent emotions. She came back at length, the face paler and the voice not so steady. ‘*T will ask you if you love me,’’ she said. ‘‘ And I dare you to go away from the room.’’ I accepted the challenge without an instant’s hesitation. “Tam going. I will see you when you are cooler ;’’ and I went to the door. With a quick rush she prevented my opening it, and putting her back to it stared at me in the most violent passion, which thickened her voice as she spoke. ‘You shall go directly—if you wish to. You will make me hate you, one day, Alexis, and then—TI will kill you.’’ ‘It will be far better for me to come some other time,’’ I said, anxious to leave. ‘You will have plenty of opportunities, never fear,’’ she retorted, with a very angry, sneering laugh. ‘‘ And what is more, you will not dare not to use them. Listen—it is love for you drives me to this—a love that you can never escape now, Alexis, even if you had the will.”’ She paused, but I said nothing. I had nothing to say. All I wished was to get away. “Do you think there is anything I would not do for your love, Alexis? I have told you there is nothing—told you so scores of times. Now I have proved it. Do you hear?—proved it. I proved it a few nights ago, when this hand plunged the dagger into my husband’s heart—for your sake.”’ I started back and looked at the woman in horror. ‘Yes, this hand’’—she held it out—‘‘so white, smooth, deft, and Eomichook (S@)