"If I am
clear-headed now I shall go on with the dream," he thought. "If I fail
in this I shall fail in everything." Turning he took hold of the
sleeve of David's coat and pulled him across the room so that the two
men stood together. Then he looked hard at Margaret. As he talked to
her he continued to stand thus with his hand on her father's arm. The
action caught David's fancy and a thrill of admiration ran through
him. "Here is a man," he told himself.
"You thought Edith was ready to see us get married. Well she was. She
is now and you see what it has done to her," said McGregor.
The daughter of the ploughmaker started to speak. Her face was chalky
white. McGregor threw up his hands.
"Wait," he said, "a man and woman can't live together for years and
then part like two men friends. Something gets into them to prevent.
They find they love each other. I've found out that though I want you,
I love Edith. She loves me. Look at her."
Margaret half arose from her chair. McGregor went on. Into his voice
came the harsh quality that made men fear and follow him. "Oh, we'll
be married, Margaret and I," he said; "her beauty has won me. I follow
beauty. I want beautiful children. That is my right."
He turned to Edith and stood staring at her.
"You and I could never have the feeling Margaret and I had when we
looked into each other's eyes.
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