The murderers, by this
time, may be on the way to your chamber, and they will not heed your
prayers, and they will scorn any defence which you might offer."
"But who are they of whom you speak, Miss Munro? If I must fly, let me
at least know from what and whom. What are my offences, and whom have I
offended?"
"That is soon told, though I fear, sir, we waste the time in doing so.
You have offended Rivers, and you know but little of him if you think it
possible for him to forget or forgive where once injured, however
slightly. The miners generally have been taught to regard you as one
whose destruction alone can insure their safety from punishment for
their late aggressions. My uncle too, I grieve to say it, is too much
under the influence of Rivers, and does indeed just what his suggestions
prescribe. They have plotted your death, and will not scruple at its
performance. They are even now below meditating its execution. By the
merest good fortune I overheard their design, from which I feel
persuaded nothing now can make them recede.
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