She gasped and gasped for breath as one suddenly plunged in deep waters.
His violence appalled her, well-nigh quenching her rapture. She was more
terrified in those moments than she had ever been before. She almost felt
as if the godlike being she had so humbly adored from afar had turned
upon her with the demand for human sacrifice. Those devouring kisses sent
unimagined apprehensions through her heart. They seemed to satisfy him so
little while they sapped from her every atom of vitality, leaving her
helpless as an infant, her body drawn to his as a needle to the magnet,
not of her own volition, but simply by his strength. And ever the fire of
his passion grew hotter till she felt as one bound on the edge of a
mighty furnace which scorched her mercilessly from head to foot.

She was near to fainting when she felt his arms relax, and suddenly above
her upturned face she heard his voice, low and deep, like the growl of an
angry beast.

"What have you come here for? Go! You're not wanted."

In a flash she realized that they were no longer alone. She would have
disengaged herself, but she was too weak to stand. She could only cling
feebly to the supporting arm.

In that moment a great wave of humiliation burst over her, sweeping away
her last foothold. For without turning she knew who it was who stood
behind her; she knew to whom those furious words had been addressed.

Before her inner sight with overwhelming vividness there arose a
vision--the vision of Greatheart in his shining armour with a drawn sword
in his hand; and in his eyes--But no, she could not look into his eyes.