that there is no place secret
enough, no land distant enough to guard your life safely after that."

He only received her passionate words with a shrug of the shoulders and
a deprecating wave of the hand.

"But it is so sad to go into exile alone," he said; "if I could take
with me----"

"Oh! you are such a base, miserable coward!" she broke in. "Such a
pitiful, dastardly wretch! Don't frown at me--I have never been afraid
of you--I am not now! I tell you the hour of retribution will come!"

His face never changed, he made her a gracious bow and said pleasantly:

"You are inclined to do the prophetess this morning--but don't be such a
fearful Cassandra, I beg."

She rose from her chair and folded her shawl about her.

"I need stay here no longer," she said, "I have told you what I came to
say."

"Don't be so cruel as to run away so soon," he pleaded; "give my poor
room the glory of your presence a little longer. You see to what I was
driven before I could force myself to trouble you again. These are not
proper apartments for a gentleman; you will admit I had an excuse. The
whole thing is miserably humiliating."

"I shall be here on Monday," said Elizabeth, ignoring his excuses. "I
shall have the money ready for you, but I will not bring it--those
letters must be first placed in my hands."

"Ah! you are going to drive a hard bargain, I see."

"You have evaded so often, cheated me so often; I have given you
thousands of dollars--this is the last--take it--enough to make you
comfortable for years if you are careful; but the letters come into my
possession first, and that paper too."

"You really mean to have your freedom, do you?" he asked, jestingly; "to
sweep me out of your life for ever; that is hard."

"Don't think to cheat me; neither your forged writing or any pretence
will answer here. I tell you I am desperate now--you can't force me down
a step farther."

"You are a magnificent woman!" he exclaimed; "a wonderful woman! I don't
believe the country could boast another such."

She turned away.

"Now you are angry. But let it pass."

"Remember what I have said," retorted Elizabeth. "I tell you I am
desperate now! At least I shall have placed it out of your power to
injure any one but myself. I have reached that point when I will have
freedom from your persecutions or drag the ruin down on my own head
while crushing you."

She was in terrible earnest--he was a sufficient judge of character to
se