manner. But mark me! while _you_ do this,
_I_ go home also, to break a promise not more sacred than
yours,--to reveal to Alice, from beginning to end, the whole
history of our engagement, and of our marriage; to tell her
that you have unjustly accused Ellen Middleton of murder, and
irretrievably ruined and destroyed her happiness; to tell her
that I once loved Ellen Middleton, that I love her still, and
that if such is to be _her_ fate, _mine_ shall be to leave
England _to-morrow_, _alone_, and _for ever_.'

"It was frightful to see the look of rage that convulsed the
features of that intractable woman as I pronounced these
words. She absolutely writhed with anger, and it was deadly
anger, for her cheek was pale and her lips white. She gasped
for breath, and then murmured: 'Villain! she is with child.'

"God forgive me, I was indeed a villain! For, although not
even to save you would I have endangered Alice's safety, yet
my first thought was of the new power which this circumstance
gave me over her fierce grandmother; and, without giving a
sign of emotion, I begged to know her final decision.

"Then began a fearful contest between us; one of those
struggles on which more than life is staked. I conquered at
last, and that indomitable will was forced to bend before
mine. You are safe, as long as Alice remains in ignorance of
the dark parts of our histories; as long as I live with her,
and by kindness and respect ensure her comfort and peace of
mind, so long will her grandmother adhere to the promise,
which she has renewed on these conditions. But you must help
me to fulfil them, Ellen. You must not leave me to myself, for
then my strength would fail me. It must be under your eyes,
and in constant association with you, that I must learn to
treat Alice as I now feel myself bound to treat her. One of
the principal complaints which her, grandmother made, was of
the seclusion in which she lived; and on this point I must
give way, though, as I once said to you, I tremble for the
consequences; but you must be near us--with us. Though
scarcely older than her, you know where the dangers of the
world lie, and you will watch over one who, in her childish
ignorance, stands like a guardian angel between you and your
persecutor. There is something sacred in the feelings with
which we must both regard and cherish her. Hook at her now
with emotion, as the mother of my child. I bless her in my
heart for having saved you from misery