Mortified pride--doubly mortified by Naomi's contemptuous refusal and by the personal indignity offered to him by Ambrose--was at the bottom of his conduct in absenting himself from Morwick.

He owned that he had seen the advertisement, and that it had actually encouraged him to keep in hiding! "After being laughed at and insulted and denied, I was glad," said the miserable wretch, "to see that some of you had serious reason to wish me back again.

It rests with you, Miss Naomi, to keep me here, and to persuade me to save Ambrose by showing myself and owning to my name." "What do you mean ?" I heard Naomi ask, sternly.
He lowered his voice; but I could still hear him.
"Promise you will marry me," he said, "and I will go before the magistrate to-morrow, and show him that I am a living man." "Suppose I refuse ?" "In that case you will lose me again, and none of you will find me till Ambrose is hanged." "Are you villain enough, John Jago, to mean what you say ?" asked the girl, raising her voice.
"If you attempt to give the alarm," he answered, "as true as God's above us, you will feel my hand on your throat! It's my turn now, miss; and I am not to be trifled with.

Will you have me for your husband--yes or no ?" "No!" she answered, loudly and firmly.
I burst open the door, and seized him as he lifted his hand on her.

He had not suffered from the nervous derangement which had weakened me, and he was the stronger man of the two.