Somewhat softened by his
kindness of manner, the pressure upon her brain of that agony was
immediately relieved, and a succession of tears and sobs marked the
diminished influence of her terrors. But, as Rivers attempted something
in reply, she started--
"Let me go--let me not hear him speak! His breath is pollution--his
words are full of foul threats and dreadful thoughts. If you knew all
that I know--if you feared what I fear, uncle--you would nigh slay him
on the spot."
This mental suffering of his niece was not without its influence upon
her uncle, who, as we have said before, had a certain kind and degree of
pride--pride of character we may almost call it--not inconsistent with
pursuits and a condition of life wild and wicked even as his. His eye
sternly settled upon that of his companion, as, without a word, he bore
the almost lifeless girl into the chamber of his wife, who, aroused by
the clamor, had now and then looked forth upon the scene, but was too
much the creature of timidity to venture entirely amid the disputants.
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