which she was imprisoned. Until now it had been a source of no small
consolation to her, that, in case of an emergency, she could retreat to her
own room, and there abide in safety. But now this small comfort was taken
from her, and she felt how completely she was in the power of her
adversary. This feeling, however, did not crush her spirit; for she had
already brought herself to the sublime point of martyrdom, and was prepared
to die for virtue, rather than yield, _in any case_, to become the victim
of sin, or to the wishes of the base wretch who hoped to conquer her.

Life is sweet, and it will never be surrendered by one who has a correct
appreciation of its Author, until every consistent effort has been made to
preserve it. Hence, Eveline determined to use every means to save herself
before having recourse to this last resort.

As she was reflecting upon this matter, the suggestion came, that, perhaps,
she might find this secret passage between the two rooms, and possibly be
able to fasten the entrance way to her apartment on the inside, and thus
bar the miscreant out, who would dare intrude upon her privacy. Acting upon
the supposition that this idea was not beyond the pale of possibility, she
commenced a diligent examination of all that part of the wall of the outer
room which extended as far as the inner one; but she could find no
resemblance to a door, no crack in the solid rocks, no spot on the floor
which gave the least indication of what she sought. All was apparently an
unbroken mass, through which no mortal or living thing had ever passed. She
began to think that, after all, Duffel might possibly be deceived himself,
or else was only trying to frighten her. Determined, however, if there was
such a communication as he spoke of, to find it, if it could be found, she
went into the other room, and commenced the same minute search, having
first locked and bolted the door, so as to make certain of not being
discovered or interrupted, unless the intruder should come by the secret
way. After the closest examination of the wall, with her eyes, to no
purpose, she commenced trying the efficacy of touch, pressing her fingers
over every portion of the surface of the room; but, as no appearance of
what she was laboring to find rewarded her search, she began to despair of
success.

"If there is such a passage," she thought within herself, "it is so guarded
that none may find it, save the possessors of the secret: and my