Bowed as Sarah's spirit was beneath the burst of the long-dreaded storm and her accusing conscience, her womanly pride revolted at this speech. She had humbled herself in the dust at the feet of a man whom she did not love; had borne meekly his reproaches; submitted dumbly to the degrading suspicions that far transcended her actual sin; but as the idea of her suing servilely for the love she had never yet valued; of him, indifferent and independent, awaiting afar off for her petition--hers, whom he had abandoned to the scornful sneers of the keen-witted hyenas of society; to the cross-examination of her distrustful relatives; the stings of remorse; left in one word to herself!--as this picture grew up clearly before her mind, the tide of feeling turned. "You reject my prayers and despise my tears!" she said proudly. "You refuse to accept of my humiliation. Yet you do not doubt me, as you would have me believe that you do! Else you would not dare to trust me--the keeper of your honor and your child's fair name--out of your sight! I throw back the charge in your teeth, and tell you that your conduct gives it the lie! I have asked you--shame on me that I did!--to continue to me the shelter of your name and presence; to shield me, a helpless woman, more unhappy than guilty, from the ban of the world; and you deny me everything but a contemptible shadow of respectability, which the veriest fool can penetrate. I would not have you suppose that your generous confidence in my integrity"--she brought out the words with scathing contempt--"will deter me from sinking to the level you are pleased to assign me. If the native dignity of my womanhood, the principles I inherit from my father, my love for my innocent babe do not hold me back from ruin, be assured that the hope of winning your approval will not. To you I make no pledges of reformation; I offer but one promise. If you choose to remain abroad until I, in spirit, kiss your feet, and pray you to receive a love such as most men are glad to win by assiduity of attention, and every pleasing art--which you would force into being by wilful and revengeful absence--you will never see your native land again until the grass grows upon my grave!" She paused for breath, and continued more slowly. "While your child lives, and I remain her guardian, I will use your means for her maintenance--will reside in your house. If she dies, or you take her from me, I will not owe you my support for a single day more!" Lewis grew pallid to his lips; but he, too, was proud, and his stubborn will was called into bold exercise.