Cecilia screamed aloud, and conjuring him to hear her, ran after him; he paid her no regard, but, flying faster than she had power to pursue, reached his own dressing-room, shut himself into it with violence, and just as she arrived at the door, turned the key, and bolted it. Her terror was now inexpressible; she believed him in the very act of suicide, and her refusal of assistance seemed the signal for the deed: her whole fortune, at that moment, was valueless and unimportant to her, compared with the preservation of a fellow-creature: she called out with all the vehemence of agony to beg he would open the door, and eagerly promised by all that was sacred to do everything in her power to save him. At these words he opened it; his face was totally without colour, and he grasped a razor in his hand. “You have stopt me,” said he, in a voice scarce audible, “at the very moment I had gathered courage for the blow: but if indeed you will assist me, I will shut this up,--if not, I will steep it in my blood!” “I will! I will!” cried Cecilia, “I will do every thing you desire!” “And quickly?” “Immediately.” “Before my disgrace is known? and while all may yet be hushed up?” “Yes, yes! all--any--every thing you wish!” “Swear, then!” Here Cecilia drew back; her recollection returned as her terror abated, and her repugnance to entering into an engagement for she knew not what, with a man whose actions she condemned, and whose principles she abhorred, made all her fright now give way to indignation, and, after a short pause, she angrily answered, “No, Sir, I will not swear!--but yet, all that is reasonable, all that is friendly--” “Hear me swear, then!” interrupted he, furiously, “which at this moment I do, by every thing eternal, and by every thing infernal, that I will not outlive the seizure of my property, and that the moment I am informed there is an execution in my house, shall be the last of my existence!” “What cruelty! what compulsion! what impiety!” cried Cecilia: “give me, however, that horrible instrument, and prescribe to me what conditions you please.” A noise was now heard below stairs, at which Cecilia, who had not dared call for help lest he should quicken his desperation, was secretly beginning to rejoice, when, starting at the sound, he exclaimed, “I believe you are too late!--the ruffians have already seized my house!” then, endeavouring to force her out of the room, “Go,” he cried, “to my wife;--I want to be alone!” “Oh give me first,” cried she, “that weapon, and I will take what oath you please!” “No, no!--go,--leave me,--” cried he, almost breathless with emotion, “I must not now be trifled with.” “I do not trifle! indeed I do not!” cried Cecilia, holding by his arm: “try, put me to the proof!” “Swear, solemnly swear, to empty my house of these creditors this moment!” “I do swear,” cried she, with energy, “and Heaven prosper me as I am sincere!”