Sheer
depth was below her, but she did not seem aware of it.
"I will throw myself over," she said with tense purpose, "unless you
promise--unless you swear--to let me go."
He laughed again, but there was no mirth in the glittering eyes that
looked back at her, neither mirth nor dismay, only the most arrogant and
absolute mastery that she had ever encountered.
"I promise nothing," he said, "except that one way or the other I'm going
to have you. You can take your choice. You can sink or swim. But you
won't get away. There is a bond between us that you can't break, however
hard you try. Fling yourself over if you think it's worth it? And before
you get to the bottom I shall be with you. I'll chase you through the
gates of Hades. I've travelled alone far enough. For the future--we go
together. That I swear to God!"
Across the abyss he flung his tremendous challenge, the laugh still on
his lips and in his eyes the blazing derision that mocks at fate.
And as she heard it, the girl's heart suddenly failed her. She began to
tremble. Yet, even so, she made a last desperate bid for pride and
freedom.
She clutched at the cold stones on each side of her with nerveless,
quivering fingers.
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