nard," she said, more calmly,
"nor why you have brought me here to-night. But this I know, that I
have learned that vengeance belongs to God. It were a crime for mortal
man, frail at best, to usurp the right of God. My brother is already
fearfully avenged."

Twice beaten in his attempt to besiege the strong heart of the poor
Indian, by stratagem, the wily Bernard determined to pursue a more
determined course, and to take the resisting citadel by a coup d'etat.
He argued, and argued rightly, that a sudden charge would surprise her
into betraying a knowledge of Hansford's movements. No sooner,
therefore, had the last words fallen from her lips, than he seized her
roughly by the arm, and exclaimed,

"So you, then, with all your religious cant, are the murderess of Thomas
Hansford!"

"The murderess! Of Hansford! Is he then dead," cried the girl,
bewildered by the sudden charge, "How did they find him?"

"Find him!" cried Bernard, triumphantly, "It is easy finding what we
hide ourselves. We have proven that you alone are aware of his hiding
place, and you alone, therefore, are responsible for his safety. It was
for this confession that I brought you here to-night."

"So help me Heaven," said the trembling girl, terrified by the web thus
woven around her, "If he be dead, I am innocent of his death."

"The assassin of Berkenhead may well be the murderess of Hansford," said
Bernard. "It is easier to deny than to prove. Come, my mistress, tell me
when you saw him."

"Oh, but this morning, safe and well," said Mamalis. "Indeed, my hand is
guiltless of his blood."

"Prove it, then, if you can," returned Bernard. "You must know our
English law presumes him guilty, who is last with the murdered person,
unless he can prove his innocence. Show me Hansford alive, and you are
safe. If I do not see him by sunrise, you go with me to answer for his
death, and to learn that your accursed race is not the only people who
demand blood for blood."

Overawed by his threats, and his stern manner, so different from the
mild and respectful tone in which he had hitherto addressed her, Mamalis
sank upon the ground in an agony of alarm. Bernard disregarded her meek
and silent appeal for mercy, and sternly menaced her when she attempted
to scream for assistance.

"Hush your savage shrieking, you bitch, or you'll wake the house; and
then, by God, I'll choke you before your time. I tell you, if the man is
alive, you need fear no danger; and