“So you’ve had some sent to your room—­again?”

He nodded in half defiant, half ashamed fashion and Virginia, her tone changing, pleaded with him earnestly: 

“Don’t touch it now, Robert.  Please!  Please!”

“Why not?” he demanded defiantly.

“You’ve had enough already.”

“Oh, nonsense!” he exclaimed, “I’m all right.  I can take twice as much as I’ve had and not even feel it.”  Going towards the door he added:  “I’ll tell Oku to bring it in here—­”

She ran quickly to intercept him.  That was just what she dreaded.  If he touched another drop he would be beyond control.  It must be prevented at any cost.

“No, Robert!  No!” she pleaded.

Stafford stopped and stared at her in amazement.

“What’s the matter?” he demanded.

“Don’t take any more,” she said, laying a hand coaxingly on his arm.  “Please, dear!  It isn’t good for you.”

“Good for me!” he laughed.  “Don’t you worry about that.  I know what’s good for me!” Determinedly he added:  “I want that wine and I’m going to have it.”

“Then say good-night,” she replied with what self-possession she could command, “and take it in your own room.”

He looked at her stupidly.

“Drink alone?” he hiccoughed.  “And you right here?  Well, I guess not—­”

He was standing at the door and as he spoke his hand happened to touch the key.  Suddenly an idea occurred to him.  She might try to get away.  If he had the key, he would command the situation.  Unobserved by his wife, he noiselessly withdrew the key from the lock and slipped it in his pocket.  Carelessly he went on: 

“Where’d be the fun of that?  No, we’ll have it in here and we’ll have a little party—­just you and me!  A little party!  Eh?”

He went towards her, arms outstretched, his eyes ardent.  As he advanced she retreated to the farther side of the room.

“Please don’t!” she exclaimed, opening her eyes wide in terror.

He halted.

“Why not?” he demanded.

Hesitatingly and in a low tone she answered: 

“I remember—­the last time.”

“When was that?”

“About a week ago!”

“Well,” he demanded in a surly tone, “what about it?”

“Don’t you remember?”

“No,” he answered sullenly.

She turned away in mute despair.  Utterly discouraged, completely in his power, she was at a loss what to do or say.  There was little use in appealing to the better nature of a man, in his present condition.  She thought of flight, but it was impossible.  He barred the way.  Meanwhile he watched her, as a beast of prey watches its hapless victim.  His ardent eyes feasted on her white neck, gloated on the lines of her body, revealed by the thin gown.  He was too intent on his lustful purpose to be really conscious of the pain he was inflicting.  He mistook her resistance for coquettishness.  Approaching her, he bent over and whispered persuasively in her ear: