The maiden, struggling still for the release for
which her spirit would not suffer her to implore, exclaimed:--
"Insolent! By what right do you ask me these or any questions? Unhand
me, coward--unhand me. You are strong and brave only where the feeble
are your opponents."
But he maintained his grasp with even more rigidity than before; and she
turned towards the spot at which stood her uncle, but he had left the
apartment for a light.
"Your speech is bold, fair mistress, and ill suits my temper. You must
be more chary of your language, or you will provoke me beyond my own
strength of restraint. You are my property--my slave, if I so please it,
and all your appeals to your uncle will be of no effect. Hark you! you
have done that to-night for which I am almost tempted to put this dagger
into your heart, woman as you are! You have come between me and my
victim--between me and my enemy. I had summed up all my wrongs,
intending their settlement to-night. You have thwarted all my hopes--you
have defrauded me of all my anticipations.
Pages:
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490