“I need not mind telling you, for I have told you before that he has a kind of supernatural power over me. I know it by his drawing me towards him. It is true I might feel it just the same whether he was in America or in London; but I do not think he would care to do it, if he were so far off. I know him well enough to know that he would not wish for me except for some immediate advantage to himself.” “But what is the use of his doing so, when you don’t know where he is to be found.” “I should go straight to him, without knowing where I was going.” Hugh rose in haste. “Put on your bonnet and cloak, and come with me. I will take care of you. Lead me to him, and the ring shall soon be in your hands again.” Euphra hesitated, half rose, but sat down immediately. “No, no! Not for worlds,” she said. “Do not tempt me. I must not—I dare not—I will not go.” “But I shall be with you. I will take care of you. Don’t you think I am able, Euphra?” “Oh, yes! quite able. But I must not go anywhere at that man’s bidding.” “But it won’t be at his bidding: it will be at mine.” “Ah! that alters the case rather, does it not? I wonder what Margaret would say.” “Margaret! What Margaret?” said Hugh. “Oh! my new maid,” answered Euphra, recollecting herself. “Not being well at present, she is my nurse.” “We shall take a cab as soon as we get to the corner.” “I don’t think the count would be able to guide the horse,” said Euphra, with a smile. “I must walk. But I should like to go. I will. It would be such a victory to catch him in his own toils.” She rose and ran up stairs. In a few minutes she came down again, cloaked and veiled. But Margaret met her as she descended, and leading her into the back drawing-room, said: “Are you going, Euphra?” “Yes; but I am going with Mr. Sutherland,” answered Euphra, in a defensive tone. “It is to please him, and not to obey the count.” “Are you sure it is all to please Mr. Sutherland? If it were, I don’t think you would be able to guide him right. Is it not to get rid of your suffering by yielding to temptation, Euphra? At all events, if you go, even should Mr. Sutherland be successful with him, you will never feel that you have overcome him, or he, that he has lost you. He will still hold you fast. Don’t go. I am sure you are deceiving yourself.” Euphra stood for a moment and pouted like a naughty child. Then suddenly throwing her arms about Margaret’s neck, she kissed her, and said: “I won’t go, Margaret. Here, take my things up stairs for me.”