“Jacob Gray,” shouted Ada, her face kindling with excitement, and her delicate form appearing to dilate as she pointed to the abashed and writhing countenance of the villain who trembled before her. “Be it so,” said Gray; “we understand each other now. You defy me.” “I ever defied you, Jacob Gray!” “Be it so,” he repeated. “Follow me.” “It is my heart that defies you, Jacob Gray,” said Ada. “You are a man, and I a weak girl. You are strong enough to enforce me to accompany you.” “Come on!” cried Gray. Ada slowly followed him from the room. Gray passed out at a large doorway into a smaller apartment, in which was a table, some baskets, similar to those Ada had seen in the cellar turned up for seats, and a small fire dimly burning on an ample hearth; before which a bullock might have been roasted, and perhaps had been in days gone by. “Ada,” said Gray, “look around you.” Ada did so, and Gray continued,— “This is a place of discomfort; there is little to recommend it, but it is preferable to yon gloomy dungeon from whence you have but now emerged.” “I grant it,” said Ada. “Your secret existence here is necessary for me; nay, my very life depends upon it. It may be but for a very short time. You may imagine that I am not in love with this mode of life. I have gold—store of gold—but I want more, and each day shall add to the glittering mass. When it has reached the amount I wish, you shall be free.” “Free?” “Yes; free as air.” “When you have the gold you wish?” “Even so, Ada.” “I have read that the love of gold is one of those passions that increase as they are fed.” “Not with me; I have fixed in my imagination a sum which I must have. Then, Ada, I leave England for ever, and you are free!” “But wherefore is my captivity essential?” “Ask no questions,” interrupted Gray. “Circumstances make you valuable; but mark me, you are equally valuable, dead as alive. Nay, start not—I wish you to live, if possible. I do not want to take your life—because—because—” “Because, what?” “I can use you as such an implement of revenge that—that—but no matter, no matter, your fate is in your hands; you shall yourself decide your destiny.” “Myself?” “Yes; swear to me that without my permission you will not leave this place. Swear to me you will aid me in keeping you in silence and secrecy. Swear this, and you return no more to yon loathsome dungeon, and perhaps, in a short time, I may place you on a dazzling height of power, and wealth shall make all England ring with your name! You could be the admired of all; your beauty, your wit, your gold, would be the themes of every tongue, if you will but swear.” “How can I believe you?” said Ada. “If ever words of truth passed my lips,” said Gray, “these are such.” “On what pretence was I lured hither?” “Ada, by force or fraud I was compelled to bring you here. ’Twere better the latter than the former.”