Part 52 (1/2)
But he caught her close to him, finding a new joy in his momentous decision. She struggled still, but he would not be denied.
”Yes, you will,” he whispered. ”You've got to marry me whether you want to or not. You're compromised.”
”I don't care.”
”Oh, yes, you do. And you love me, Beth.”
”I don't love you----”
”You do. And I'm going to marry you whether you want it or not.”
”Oh, _are_ you?”
”Yes.”
”When?”
”Soon.”
He kissed her. She didn't resist him. Resistance was useless. He had won.
”Beth, dear,” he went on. ”I couldn't lie to you. I'm glad you knew that. And I couldn't hurt you. I think I've always loved you--from the first.”
”I too--I too,” she whispered. ”I couldn't help it.”
”I think I knew that too----”
”No, no. You couldn't----”
”Yes. It was meant to be. You've given a new meaning to life, torn from its very roots a whole rotten philosophy. Oh, you don't know what I mean--except that n.o.bility is in the mind, beauty in the heart. Nothing else matters.”
”No. It doesn't,” she sighed. ”You see, I--I do believe in you.”
”Thank G.o.d! But you know nothing of me--nothing of my past----”
”I don't care what your past has been or who you are. You're good enough for me. I'm satisfied----”
He laughed joyously at the terms of her acquiescence.
”Don't you want to know what I've been--who I am----?”
”No. It wouldn't make any difference--not now.”
”I'll tell you some day.”
”I'll take a chance on that. I'm not afraid.”
”And whatever I am--you'll marry me?”