There are greater men than I in my profession ; but it is my honest belief , Eric , that if you were to consult them they would tell you just what I have told you , neither more nor less . '' `` Then there is no hope , '' said Eric in a tone of despair . `` You can do nothing for her ? '' David took from the back of his chair a crochet antimacassar with a lion rampant in the center and spread it over his knee . `` I can do nothing for her , '' he said , scowling at that work of art . `` I do not believe any living man can do anything for her . But I do not say -- exactly -- that there is no hope . '' `` Come , David , I am in no mood for guessing riddles . Speak plainly , man , and do n't torment me . '' David frowned dubiously and poked his finger through the hole which represented the eye of the king of beasts . `` I do n't know that I can make it plain to you . It is n't very plain to myself . And it is only a vague theory of mine , of course . I can not substantiate it by any facts . In short , Eric , I think it is possible that Kilmeny may speak sometime -- if she ever wants it badly enough . '' `` Wants to ! Why , man , she wants to as badly as it is possible for any one to want anything . She loves me with all her heart and she wo n't marry me because she ca n't speak . Do n't you suppose that a girl under such circumstances would ` want ' to speak as much as any one could ? '' `` Yes , but I do not mean that sort of wanting , no matter how strong the wish may be .
What I do mean is -- a sudden , vehement , passionate inrush XXXXX desire , physical , psychical , mental , all in one , mighty enough to rend asunder the invisible fetters that hold her speech in bondage .
In at by for from of over that to with