ghtful torrent of rage, but, at the
scream which accompanied the last words, he stepped forward as though
to seize her. In her desperate courage, she flung herself before him.
"Strike me! You daren't! I defy you! Bring up the wretched creatures who
learn the way to Hell in this cursed house, and let them see you do it.
Call them! They are old friends of yours. They all know Captain Maurice
Frere."

"Sarah!"

"You remember Lucy Barnes--poor little Lucy Barnes that stole
sixpennyworth of calico. She is downstairs now. Would you know her if
you saw her? She isn't the bright-faced baby she was when they sent her
here to 'reform', and when Lieutenant Frere wanted a new housemaid from
the Factory! Call for her!--call! do you hear? Ask any one of those
beasts whom you lash and chain for Lucy Barnes. He'll tell you all
about her--ay, and about many more--many more poor souls that are at
the bidding of any drunken brute that has stolen a pound note to fee the
Devil with! Oh, you good God in Heaven, will You not judge this man?"

Frere trembled. He had often witnessed this creature's whirlwinds
of passion, but never had he seen her so violent as this. Her frenzy
frightened him. "For Heaven's sake, Sarah, be quiet. What is it you
want? What would you do?"

"I'll go to this girl you want to marry, and tell her all I know of you.
I have seen her in the streets--have seen her look the other way when
I passed her--have seen her gather up her muslin skirts when my silks
touched her--I that nursed her, that heard her say her baby-prayers (O
Jesus, pity me!)--and I know what she thinks of women like me. She is
good--and virtuous--and cold. She would shudder at you if she knew what
I know. Shudder! She would hate you! And I will tell her! Ay, I will!
You will be respectable, will you? A model husband! Wait till I tell her
my story--till I send some of these poor women to tell theirs. You kill
my love; I'll blight and ruin yours!"

Frere caught her by both wrists, and with all his strength forced her to
her knees. "Don't speak her name," he said in a hoarse voice, "or I'll
do you a mischief. I know all you mean to do. I'm not such a fool as not
to see that. Be quiet! Men have murdered women like you, and now I know
how they came to do it."

For a few minutes a silence fell upon the pair, and at last Frere,
releasing her hands, fell back from her.

"I'll do what you want, on one condition."

"What?"

"That you leave this place."