“We--you and Manuel and the rest--are to go away in the ship?” she cried, cold to the marrow of her bones.
“Sure. Why not? Are we not to be the owners of that ship? It is your chance to go back to the world again,--with me! Oh, and I agree to this also: If you do not want me any longer after you are in Rio or Buenos Aires or anywhere out there,--if you would rather be free again,--I promise to release you. What could be fairer than that? Nothing! I shall kill myself, of course, when you leave me,--but still I promise, and I never break a promise. But I shall love you so much that you will never leave me. You are my queen. Hell, how I love you--how I love you!” His face darkened, then slowly paled. He realized that he had gone too far. Leaning close to her, his frightened eyes not a foot from hers, he said: “You cannot deny me now. I have told you everything. I do not know why I have told you. I must be crazy with love of you. Ah,--the look in your beautiful eyes! God, how it takes the weight off my mind. You will love me,--you will be mine,--I see it in your eyes. When? When?”
She affected a bantering smile. She knew how to play with such fools as he.
“Do you think I am a fool? How do I know you are not lying to me about all this? It may be a trick to influence me. No, no! I am not such a simpleton. You promise me diamonds, and gold, and much love. You promise to take me away from this dreadful place on a ship, back to the world I worship. But you may be lying. I must have something better than your word, my friend.”
“But I am telling you the truth. I swear it!” he cried eagerly.
“Keep your hands off of me,--do you hear! Don't touch me! Not yet, not yet. I must have some proof that you can give me all these things you offer. Will you have Manuel Crust guarantee that--”
“My God,--Manuel,--he must not know I have spoken to you. He must never know,” he gasped. “Take my word,--believe me, beloved one. It is the God's truth I tell you. Within the month I will lay diamonds, pearls,--everything,--at your feet. I--”
“Leave me now. Come again,--tomorrow. I must think. I must--”
“But you will love me? You will come to me? You--”
“You are a very handsome boy,” she said softly, “and I should like to believe you.”