ithful to his wicked intentions, Duffel presented himself before Eveline
on the day succeeding the one in which she was placed in confinement at the
cave, and having no choice in the matter, she was obliged to become a
participator in the conversation he was pleased to introduce and force upon
her. She was seated on an elegant sofa--for the apartment was luxuriously
furnished--when he entered; and with all the assurance of an accepted
friend, he walked up and took a seat by her side. She was reading at the
time, and when he entered she barely raised her eyes from the pages of the
book, as if to assure herself who it was that intruded, and then, without
further notice or any sign of recognition, continued to peruse the work in
hand. This unexcited, cool and self-possessed conduct was not what the
villain seemed to expect or desire; he hoped to find a suppliant in tears,
instead of a calm and apparently unconcerned woman; he was prepared for
such a subject, but for the one before him he was not, and he was at a loss
how to proceed; indeed, just at that moment he was the most uneasy of the
two. But he must do something, and so opened the interview on this wise:

"You seem to be deeply absorbed in the contents of that book, Miss
Mandeville, and I am pleased to see you so well entertained in this rather
solitary abode."

As this remark did not positively require a reply, Eveline continued to
read without opening her mouth; Duffel bit his lip in vexation, but after a
pause of some duration continued:

"I am very sorry to interrupt you when so agreeably employed, but necessity
often compels us to do things abhorrent to our feelings; and as I have some
important communications to make, which it is best for you to know
immediately, I must beg to be permitted to disturb you for a few minutes.
Perhaps it will be some compensation for the brief interruption to give you
the latest intelligence from your father and former home."

At these words Eveline for the first time raised her eyes to the face of
the villain, as if to ascertain the expression of his countenance, and
learn whether he was in a serious or mocking humor. He went on:

"I had the pleasure of a long interview with Mr. Mandeville last evening.
He was in much distress at your absence, and thought you were very
undutiful to leave him in his old age without even a parting word."

At this unfeeling recital, Eveline cast upon the heartless wretch a look of
indignation, a