You think nothing shall force you to speak. Ask yourself
why. It is because you believe that to show your heart would be to place
yourself in the humiliating position of a man who might seem to her and
to the world to be a base fellow."
"An impudent, pushing, base fellow," thrust in Mount Dunstan fiercely.
"One of a vulgar lot. A thing fancying even its beggary worth buying.
What has a man--whose very name is hung with tattered ugliness--to
offer?"
Penzance's hand was still on his shoulder and his look at him was long.
"His very pride," he said at last, "his very obstinacy and haughty,
stubborn determination. Those broken because the other feeling is the
stronger and overcomes him utterly."
A flush leaped to Mount Dunstan's forehead. He set both elbows on the
mantel and let his forehead fall on his clenched fists. And the savage
Briton rose in him.
"No!" he said passionately. "By God, no!"
"You say that," said the older man, "because you have not yet reached
the end of your tether. Unhappy as you are, you are not unhappy
enough. Of the two, you love yourself the more--your pride and your
stubbornness."
"Yes," between his teeth. "I suppose I retain yet a sort of respect--and
affection--for my pride.
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