CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE WINTHROPS AND ROCHESTERS LEAVE FOR ROME.
Late that evening Miss Rochester was passing through a dimly lighted corridor, when she was suddenly confronted by a tall figure, who seized her hand in a viselike grip.
It was Norman Winthrop, and his face was so distorted with pain and passion that the girl started back affrighted.
“Norman!” she gasped, and struggled to release her hand.
He gave vent to a bitter laugh.
“Don’t be afraid—I shall not harm you, though if I look as I feel I must appear devilish,” he said. “It is a hard word, Sadie,” he added, as she winced, “but no other will express the state of mind I am in at present. So it is settled beyond recall that you are to marry my brother?” he concluded inquiringly, while he searched her face despairingly.
“Yes,” she briefly answered, trying to speak coldly, even haughtily.
“And you are totally indifferent to the wreck that you have made of me!” the young man vehemently cried, “for I tell you, Sadie Rochester, if I lose you, I am a wreck—a ruined man.”
Her lip quivered, in spite of the effort which she made to retain her self-possession; but she replied in the same tone as before:
“I do not consider that I am responsible——”
“You are responsible,” he retorted hotly, “for you have made me love you; you have led me on, little by little, until my very life and sanity depend upon your smiles and your love. You have even confessed that you love me, and by that very confession you belong to me, rather than to my brother. You shall not marry him,” he concluded fiercely. “I swear, Sadie, that you shall never be his wife.”
“Really, Mr. Winthrop, are you not arrogating to yourself an authority which you have no right to exercise?” the girl sarcastically demanded. “I believe that a woman of my age has the right to choose for herself in a matter of this kind.”
“You have no right to choose Truman Winthrop for your husband when your heart belongs to me,” he returned through his tightly locked teeth.
She knew herself that she had not—that she had no right to become another man’s wife, loving him with all the passion of her nature as she