This was said with something of returning assurance, Duffel having tried to work himself into the belief that all was guess-work on the part of Eveline, so far as her accusations were concerned. She saw this, and in a moment the remembrance of her dream that morning flashed across her mind, and she determined to try the effect a reference to the scenes which passed in review before her mental vision would have upon him: "Sir, your assumed assurance would soon leave you if you were in a court-room, and the evidence of your guilt, as I have it, detailed by witnesses. When your secret conference with those vile instruments--not yet so vile as yourself--whom it has pleased you to use as tools, were made known before a court and jury, your brazen impudence would depart, and the specter of a gibbet in the distance--and but a short distance, too--would pale your unblushing cheek and palsy your false tongue, skillful as you may have been in casting blame upon others by deceptive and lying words. When it was proved that _you_ stole my father's horse; that _you_ are responsible for the absence of Mr. Hadley; that _you_ pointed the knife and the pistol at his heart, and then mendaciously represented him as the thief and kidnapper who is found in your own person; then, sir, would you vail your face and go out no more among men, but upon your forehead, as _now_ upon your soul, would be the brand of _thief_, _robber_, _murderer_! Ay, well may you cower! well may the cold sweat force itself out upon your brow! Did it never enter into your debased mind that the villain who is degraded enough to sell himself to crime for a little sordid dust, will, for a larger sum, betray his employer? Do you suppose that when _you_ meditate vengeance upon your tools, they will idly await your pleasure and plans, and lift no hand in their own defense?" At this point Duffel actually sprang to his feet, the great drops oozing from every pore! How had his secret thoughts become known to her?--thoughts that no mortal ear had ever heard him utter? "Girl! girl!" he shouted, "who and what are you? demon, witch or spirit?" Then he paused a moment, as if to collect himself, and decide upon a course of action. Becoming a little more composed, he continued: "If you are in league with hell, then are we of one family if you have not belied me, and I shall take it upon myself to strengthen the affinity by--" "Sir!" she said, with a commanding look which awed him into silence, (for his superstitious feelings were already in the ascendant, and he began to _fear_ her) "I have no connection with the household of his Satanic majesty, _nor do I intend to have_, albeit you have intimated to the contrary." "Don't be too sure of that," he interrupted. "You must know that when I set my heart upon a measure, I never allow myself to be defeated in its accomplishment; and just now the darling object I have in view is a union with yourself."