"I came to Lavedan to win you, Roxalanne, and from Lavedan I shall
not stir until I have accomplished my design," I said very quietly.
"You will therefore see that it rests with you how soon I may set
out."

She fell to weeping softly, but answered nothing. At last I turned
from her and moved towards the door.

"Where are you going?" she cried.

"To take the air, mademoiselle. If upon deliberation you can bring
yourself to marry me, send me word by Anatole or one of the others,
and I shall set out at once for Toulouse."

"Stop!" she cried. Obediently I stopped, my hand already upon the
doorknob. "You are cruel, monsieur!" she complained.

"I love you," said I, by way of explaining it. "To be cruel seems
to be the way of love. You have been cruel to me."

"Would you - would you take what is not freely given?"

"I have the hope that when you see that you must give, you will
give freely."

"If - if I make you this promise--"

"Yes?" I was growing white with eagerness.

"You will fulfil your part of the bargain?"