The things we do!

"Excellent, for
you to force it upon a woman who is helpless!"
"Talk doesn't help, but deeds will. You're going along with me. I
would swear you belonged to me, if need be. As, by the Almighty
God! I intend you some day shall. All the officers of the law are
sworn to help a man claim what is his own, this side or that of the
slave line. All the stars in the sky are sworn to help a man who
feels what I feel. Don't tempt me, don't try to drive me--it will
never do. I'll be harder to handle than the man who lost you to me
last evening in a game of cards,--and who went away last night and
left you--to me."
As she gazed at him she saw his hands clenched, his mouth
twitching. "You would do that, even--" she began. "I have never
known men grew thus unscrupulous. A game--a game at cards! And
I--was lost--I!--I! And also won? What can you mean? Am I then
indeed a slave, a chattel? Ah, indeed, now am I lost! My God, and
I have no country, no kin, no God, to avenge me!"
A sort of sob caught in his throat.


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