She was very much amused at the awkwardness of the situation.
"I'm afraid I haven't any more room," I replied stiffly. How I hated that girl! The sight of blood had inflamed me. I believe I could have throttled her where she sat, but fortunately Flynn called "Time" and the bout went on.
It was to be war between us two from this moment. I knew what she meant. She had accepted my challenge and was defying me. Since I had not been able to dissuade Jerry from his fight, she was sure of her power. He was her creature now, to do with as she chose, I watched her furtively during the next round. She was silent, her gaze fixed upon Jerry, her eyes gleaming. There was something morbid in her suppressed excitement--something strange and unnatural in the fascination of her attention. She chewed gum constantly and was utterly absorbed, driven, it seemed to me, by some inner fire which she made no effort to control. She was primitive, savage. When Jerry's blows landed, her lips parted and she breathed hard. I think at this moment he was the only man for her, her mate in savagery, the finest human beast in the world. When the round ended I moved away. I had seen enough.
Later, while the men were being rubbed down, Miss Gore, leaving Marcia with Flynn, came out to me on the terrace, where I had gone alone for a breath of clean air. I was utterly absorbed in my misery and I did not hear her step. Her deep voice just at my ear startled me.
"Well, Mr. Canby," she said softly. "Your dream-castle totters."
I glanced up at her quickly, but she still smiled.
"No--not yet," still cheerfully. She paused a moment, and, leaning her elbows on the balustrade, looked out down the valley.
"All will be well," she said at last slowly.
Our glances met. "I have that presentiment," she added.
"Based on what?" I said bitterly. "A man who can inspire such a passion as this is no more than a beast--"
"Or no less than a man," she muttered quickly. "You forget that Jerry is what you've made him--"
"Not this--the body the servant--not the mind--"
"The mind will survive," she put in evenly. "It must. The whole thing is hypnotic. He will pass out of it soon."
She shrugged lightly. "I don't know. I've never seen her like this before. I think if Jerry were to seize her by force and carry her away today--now--she couldn't resist him."