Besides, my acquaintance is
all I propose to inflict on you, just yet.'
"He jumped up, and faced me. He was thoroughly scared, and no
less thoroughly puzzled. To do him justice, he had pluck
enough, too, to be pretty angry.
"'I don't know what you mean!' he broke out. 'I don't know what
you're driving at, mad or not. . . . The moment we crossed one
another I hated you--Yes, damn you, first impressions are truest
after all! Later, I was weak enough, thinking I'd injured you,
to--to--' He broke down feebly. 'What sort of devil are you?'
he demanded, mopping his forehead. 'You can't hurt me, I say.
What is it you threaten?'
"'Only this,' said I. 'You have been a married man for a number
of years, and therefore can probably appreciate better than I
what it means. But you know my feeling for you, as I know yours
towards me. . . . Well, I propose to be your companion in this
world and until death do us part. . . . You may dodge, but I
shall be faithful; you may slip, run, elude, but I shall quest.
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