Hamar!" Lilian Rosenberg said, her eyes glittering.
"When you've quite finished, perhaps--you'll kindly go and leave me in
peace."
"Go! Leave you in peace!" Hamar shouted. "Damn you, curse your
impertinence! Go! I'll not budge an inch till I wring from you an
oath--a solemn binding oath, that you'll break off your engagement
with Kelson at once."
"Really, Mr. Hamar!" Lilian Rosenberg said, "I cannot put up with
quite so much noise. Will you go, or shall I ring for the porter to
turn you out?"
She moved in the direction of the bell as she spoke, but before she
could touch it Hamar had intercepted her.
"Stop this foolery!" he said catching hold of her wrist, "I'm in grim
earnest--the lives of all three of us are at stake--jeopardized
through you--through your infernal greed and selfishness. Do you
hear!"
"Please let go my wrist," she said quietly.
"I won't!" he shouted. "I'll squeeze, crush it, break it! Break you,
too, unless you swear to break off your marriage!"
"I'll swear nothing," Lilian Rosenberg said faintly. "You're a brute.
Let me go or I'll cry for help."
She screamed, but before she could repeat the scream, Hamar had her by
the throat--and then blind with passion and before he fully realized
what he was about, he had shaken her to and fro--like a terrier shakes
a rat--and had dashed her on the floor.
For some minutes he stood rocking with passion, and then, his eyes
falling on the inanimate form at his feet, he gave a great gasping cry
and bent over it.
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