There is my peace; there is my
despair. Stamp them into the dust; so that you take me, were it
even mortally hating me!'
The frightful vehemence of the man, now reaching its full height,
so additionally terrifies her as to break the spell that has held
her to the spot. She swiftly moves towards the porch; but in an
instant he is at her side, and speaking in her ear.
'Rosa, I am self-repressed again. I am walking calmly beside you
to the house. I shall wait for some encouragement and hope. I
shall not strike too soon. Give me a sign that you attend to me.'
She slightly and constrainedly moves her hand.
'Not a word of this to any one, or it will bring down the blow, as
certainly as night follows day. Another sign that you attend to
me.'
She moves her hand once more.
'I love you, love you, love you! If you were to cast me off now--
but you will not--you would never be rid of me. No one should come
between us. I would pursue you to the death.'
The handmaid coming out to open the gate for him, he quietly pulls
off his hat as a parting salute, and goes away with no greater show
of agitation than is visible in the effigy of Mr. Sapsea's father
opposite. Rosa faints in going up-stairs, and is carefully carried
to her room and laid down on her bed. A thunderstorm is coming on,
the maids say, and the hot and stifling air has overset the pretty
dear: no wonder; they have felt their own knees all of a tremble
all day long.
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