“What had I to say to you?” she curtly replied.  “I may have seen that you were inclined to meddle with me, but I do not choose to be on people’s wicked tongues for nothing.  I do not mean to have you for a husband—­neither you nor any other.”

“Nor any other?  So you will not always say!  You say so now, because you would not have that painter.  Bah! you were but a child!  You will feel lonely enough yet, some day; and then, wild as you are, you will take the next best who comes to hand.”

“Who knows? which of us can see the future?  It may be that I will change my mind.  What is that to you?”

“What is it to me?” he flew out, starting to his feet, while the small boat leaped and danced; “what is it to me, you say?  You know well enough!  I tell you, that man shall perish miserably to whom you shall prove kinder than you have been to me!”

“And to you, what did I ever promise?  Am I to blame if you be mad?  What right have you to me?”

“Ah!  I know,” he cried, “my right is written nowhere.  It has not been put in Latin by any lawyer, nor stamped with any seal.  But this I feel:  I have just the right to you that I have to heaven, if I die an honest Christian.  Do you think I could look on and see you go to church with another man, and see the girls go by and shrug their shoulders at me?”

“You can do as you please.  I am not going to let myself be frightened by all those threats.  I also mean to do as I please.”

“You shall not say so long!” and his whole frame shook with passion.  “I am not the man to let my whole life be spoiled by a stubborn wench like you!  You are in my power here, remember, and may be made to do my bidding.”

She could not repress a start, but her eyes flashed bravely on him.

“You may kill me if you dare,” she said slowly.

“I do nothing by halves,” he said, and his voice sounded choked and hoarse.  “There is room for us both in the sea.  I cannot help thee, child”—­he spoke the last words dreamily, almost pitifully—­“but we must both go down together—­both at once—­and now!” he shouted, and snatched her in his arms.  But at the same moment he drew back his right hand; the blood gushed out; she had bitten him fiercely.

“Ha! can I be made to do your bidding?” she cried, and thrust him from her, with one sudden movement; “am I here in your power?” and she leaped into the sea, and sank.

She rose again directly; her scanty skirts clung close; her long hair, loosened by the waves, hung heavy about her neck.  She struck out valiantly, and, without uttering a sound, she began to swim steadily from the boat toward the shore.

With senses benumbed by sudden terror, he stood, with outstretched neck, looking after her, his eyes fixed as though they had just been witness to a miracle.  Then, giving himself a shake, he seized his oars, and began rowing after her with all the strength he had, while all the time the bottom of the boat was reddening fast with the blood that kept streaming from his hand.