You cannot escape.

You have driven me to extremities; but they have succeeded.

You are mine; or you are--nothing." "Nothing let it be," said Edith, over whose mind, prone to agitation and terror, it was evident the fierce and domineering temper of the individual could exercise an irresistible control, and who, though yet striving to resist, was visibly sinking before his stern looks and menacing words;--"let it be nothing! Kill me, if you will, as you have already killed my cousin.

Oh! mockery of passion, of humanity, of decency, to speak to me thus;--to _me_, the relative, the more than sister of him you have so basely and cruelly murdered!" "I have murdered no one," said Braxley, with stony composure: "and if you will but listen patiently, you will find I am stained by no crime save that of loving a woman who forces me to woo her like a master, rather than a slave.

Your cousin is living and in safety." "It is false," cried Edith, wringing her hands; "with my own eyes I saw him fall, and fall covered with blood!" "And from that moment you saw nothing more," rejoined Braxley.