Part 35 (1/2)

He raised his hands as though despairing.

”It does not.” He confronted her so that they almost touched. ”Is it possible that you can think of that? I replied to your father that I was going to take you anyway.”

”You--are going--to--take me anyway! What do you mean, Prince Koltsoff?”

”Mean! What do I mean! Why, no less than that dowry or no dowry, you are mine.”

”But you have n't asked me. I have said nothing to make you believe that.”

”Eh?” Koltsoff tossed his head dazedly.

”You said nothing!” he exclaimed as she remained silent. ”You said--Bah! Are mere words only to serve? You lay in my arms not a day since. What words could have been so eloquent? And your eyes--the look in them! Words! Ah, Anne, could I not see? Could I not read?”

His hand was on her arm but she pulled sharply back.

”Please, Prince Koltsoff! Listen! You--since you have been willing to recall it to me--did take me in your arms.” Indignation was rapidly mastering her. ”I did not lead you to do it. I did not want you to.

I am--not that kind. I was tired, weak in mind and body and, yes,--under your control, somehow. You took advantage of it. I didn't know then--I fancied it might be love, don't you know. I even asked you if it was--”

”You asked me. I replied. You did not deny.”

”No, but I deny now: It was not love.”

”Not love!” Koltsoff moved close to her. ”Then may I ask what it was?

Surely you have not questioned _my_ motives?”

”No. If I had, you should have known it before this. My own motives, or rather, the lack of them--but we won't talk about it any more.”

She made as though to step past him but he did not move.

”But you must talk about it,” he said. ”Are our relations thus to be brushed away--by misunderstanding? Anne, have I been utterly misled?

What is it, Anne? I command you to speak.”

”Will you please let me pa.s.s?”

”No, not until you have answered me.” There was crisp savagery in his voice.

Anne, now trembling with anger, turned quickly upon him.

”Very well, I shall answer you. I don't love you and I can't love you and I won't love you. I resent your actions. You have been making this house headquarters for your diplomatic schemes and when they have gone astray, you have made us all the creatures of your irritable whims. You made me a laughing stock when you backed out of the theatre party, and have done nothing but consider your own convenience irrespective of any plans I may have formed for your entertainment.

You were so disagreeable last night at dinner that I wept for very shame after it. And--and--now you have your answer.”

For a moment Koltsoff stood erect, as though frozen by her words. Then he bent his head forward menacingly.

Anne laughed.

”We are not in Monaco--or Russia, Prince Koltsoff, but in the United States.”

”The United States!” sneered Koltsoff.