Joan knew that she dared not. She must choose the lesser of two
evils. "No man--could be such a beast to a woman--after she'd saved
his life," she whispered.
"I could be anything. You had your chance. I told you to go. I said
if I ever got well I'd be as I was--before."
"But you'd have died."
"That would have been better for you .. ... Joan, I'll do this.
Marry you honestly and leave the country. I've gold. I'm young. I
love you. I intend to have you. And I'll begin life over again. What
do you say?"
"Say? I'd die before--I'd marry you!" she panted, "All right, Joan Randle," he replied, bitterly. "For a moment I saw
a ghost. My old dead better self! ... It's gone. ... And you stay
with me."