I am ready for this risk--I am
prepared for every sacrifice--I will save him at all hazards from his
doom, upon one condition!"
"Speak! speak!"
"That you be mine--that you fly with me--that in the wild regions of the
west, where I will build you a cottage and worship you as my own forest
divinity, you take up your abode with me, and be my wife. My wife!--all
forms shall be complied with, and every ceremony which society may call
for. Nay, shrink not back thus--" seeing her recoil in horror and scorn
at the suggestion--"beware how you defy me--think, that I have his life
in my hands--think, that I can speak his doom or his safety--think,
before you reply!"
"There is no time necessary for thought, sir--none--none. It can not be.
I can not comply with the conditions which you propose. I would die
first."
"And he will die too. Be not hasty, Miss Colleton--remember--it is not
merely your death but his--his death upon the gallows--"
"Spare me! spare me!"
"The halter--the crowd--the distorted limb--the racked frame--"
"Horrible--horrible!"
"Would you see this--know this, and reflect upon the shame, the mental
agony, far greater than all, of such a death to him?"
With a strong effort, she recovered her composure, though but an instant
before almost convulsed--
"Have you no other terms, Mr.
Pages:
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780