carriage waits in the road."

"Mr. Maxwell, if you have a particle of honor left, or if even a shadow
of pity rests in your heart, leave me, and finish your despicable
persecution!" said Emily, in a pleading tone.

"I have both honor and pity; but I cannot abandon my purpose. You
refused to trust to my honor, refused to receive the offered hand, which
would lead you back to the home you have left. I would fain have averted
the calamity you are madly courting; but you would not. I humbly prayed
to be allowed to step between you and your uncle's avarice; but you
would not. I would willingly have prevented the accomplishment of your
uncle's plans; but--"

"Then you own that it is a plot?"

"I acknowledge nothing."

"But you know it is a base trick?"

"It is not for me to say. The law will be satisfied. I have offered to
do all I could for you, and you have refused. You appeal to my pity.
Pity! did you pity me when I would have been your willing slave,--when I
pleaded for the hope you have ruthlessly crushed?"

"I did pity you; but I could not help you. I could not then, and I
cannot now, give my hand where my heart is uninterested. I feared you
then, as I despise you now. Report said your character was not entirely
free from stain, and you are now striving to demonstrate the truth of
the rumors," said Emily, whose contempt would not be concealed.

"Report may have belied me," replied Maxwell, struggling with his
violent passions. "But we are wasting time. Proceed with me to
Vicksburg, and I pledge you my honor you shall not be injured or
insulted."

"Your honor!" said Emily, bitterly. "It is but a poor dependence for an
unprotected female."

"Gently, Miss Dumont! Do not rouse the demon within me by such taunts."

"I fear the worst demon of your nature is already in the ascendency."

"Enough! Will you go, or will you not?" said Maxwell, impatiently.

"I will not!"

"Then I must claim you as my slave,--do not start!--and _compel_ you."

"Bond or free, I will not stir from beneath this roof with you," replied
Emily, with calm resolution. All hope, if she had cherished any, was
gone. Silently she breathed a prayer for strength and meekness to endure
all; for fortitude to enable her to struggle till death with the
oppression of her enemy; and for courage to meet any emergency in which
her lot might be cast.

"It must be done! I will hesitate no longer!" said Maxwell, seizing
Emily by the arm.

"Look here,