I ask you to be my wife. She advanced a step nearer to me, with her eyes riveted on my face. Whatever claim that man may once have had, as the father of your child, he has now forfeited it by his infamous desertion of you. In every sense of the word, my darling, you are a free woman. We have had sorrow enough in our lives.
Happiness is at last within our reach.
Come to me, and say Yes. I tried to take her in my arms. She drew back as if I had frightened her. I whispered my next words, so that the child in the inner room might not hear us. I burst out, angrily.