his strength.

"My pleasures are violent and my hate is mighty bitter in my
mouth. What I want, I take. That's been my way in the old life,
and I'm too selfish to give it up."

He was gazing out upon the dimly lucent miles of ice; but now he
turned towards her, and, doing so, touched her warm hand next his
on the rail.

She was staring up at him unaffectedly, so close that the faint
odor from her hair reached him. Her expression was simply one of
wonder and curiosity at this type, so different from any she had
known. But the man's eyes were hot and blinded with the sight of
her, and he felt only her beauty heightened in the dim light, the
brush of her garments, and the small, soft hand beneath his. The
thrill from the touch of it surged over him--mastered him.

"What I want--I take," he repeated, and then suddenly he reached
forth and, taking her in his arms, crushed her to him, kissing her
softly, fiercely, full upon the lips. For an instant she lay
gasping and stunned against his breast, then she tore her fist
free and, with all her force, struck him full in the face.

It was as though she beat upon a stone. With one movement he
forced her arm to her side, smiling into her terrified eyes; then,
holding her like iron, he kissed her again and again upon the
mouth, the eyes, the hair--and released her.

"I am going to love you--Helen," said he.