There was much in this speech to offend and annoy the hearer; but she steeled herself to listen, and it cost her some effort to reply. "I can listen--I can hear all that you may say having reference to him. I know not what you may intend; I know not what you may demand for your service. But name your condition. All in honor--all that a maiden may grant and be true to herself, all--all, for his life and safety." "Still, I fear, Miss Colleton--your love for him is not sufficiently lavish to enable your liberality to keep pace with the extravagance of my demand--" "Hold, sir--on this particular there is no need of further speech. Whatever may be the extent of my regard for Ralph, it is enough that I am willing to do much, to sacrifice much--in return for his rescue from this dreadful fate. Speak, therefore, your demand--spare no word--delay me, I pray, no longer." "Hear me, then. As Creighton, I loved you years ago--as Guy Rivers I love you still. The life of Ralph Colleton is forfeit--for ever forfeit--and a few days only interpose between him and eternity. I alone can save him--I can give him freedom; and, in doing so, I shall risk much, and sacrifice not a little. I am ready for this risk--I am prepared for every sacrifice--I will save him at all hazards from his doom, upon one condition!" "Speak! speak!" "That you be mine--that you fly with me--that in the wild regions of the west, where I will build you a cottage and worship you as my own forest divinity, you take up your abode with me, and be my wife. My wife!--all forms shall be complied with, and every ceremony which society may call for. Nay, shrink not back thus--" seeing her recoil in horror and scorn at the suggestion--"beware how you defy me--think, that I have his life in my hands--think, that I can speak his doom or his safety--think, before you reply!" "There is no time necessary for thought, sir--none--none. It can not be. I can not comply with the conditions which you propose. I would die first." "And he will die too. Be not hasty, Miss Colleton--remember--it is not merely your death but his--his death upon the gallows--" "Spare me! spare me!" "The halter--the crowd--the distorted limb--the racked frame--" "Horrible--horrible!" "Would you see this--know this, and reflect upon the shame, the mental agony, far greater than all, of such a death to him?" With a strong effort, she recovered her composure, though but an instant before almost convulsed-- "Have you no other terms, Mr. Rivers?" "None--none. Accept them, and he lives--I will free him, as I promise. Refuse them--deny me, and he must die, and nothing may save him then."