Be calm--why do you work your fingers in that manner ?" "See you not my knife is in them?
I thought at that moment that it was between his ribs, and working about in his heart.

It was a sweet fancy, and, though I could not hear his groans as I stooped over him to listen, I almost thought I felt them." The hand of the maiden grasped that of Ralph convulsively as these muttered words came to their ears, and her respiration grew more difficult and painful.

_He_ shuddered at the vindictive spirit which the wretch exhibited, while his own, putting on a feller and a fiercer temper, could scarcely resist the impulse which would have prompted him at once to rush forth and stab him where he stood.

But the counsels of prudence had their influence, and he remained quiet and firm.

The companion of the ruffian felt no less than his other hearers the savage nature of his mood, as thus, in his own way, he partially rebuked it: "These are horrid fancies, Rivers--more like those which we should look to find in a panther than in a man; and you delight in them quite too much.