“‘I am unworthy of madam; I see that clearly,’ I went on. ‘I am only a poor little, plain little, insignificant little country clodhopper! I am nothing--a mere nobody,--while madam is--shall I tell you, madam? While you are a convict--a bigamist,--and a poisoner! Are you not?’ “Her face became livid, but her defiant eyes never sank before my glance. I really admired her, Surry. No woman was ever braver than that one. I had supposed that these words would overwhelm her; that the discovery of my acquaintance with her past life, and full knowledge of her attempted crime, would crush her to the earth. Perhaps I had some remnant of pity for this woman. If she had been submissive, repentant! but, instead of submission and confusion, she exhibited greater defiance than before. In the pale face her eyes burned like coals of fire--and it was rage which inflamed them. “‘So you have set your spies on me!’ she exclaimed, in accents of inexpressible fury. ‘You are a chivalric gentleman, truly! You are worthy of your boasted family! You pretend to love and confide in me--you look at me with smiles and eyes of affection--and all the time you are laying a trap for me--endeavoring to catch me and betray me! Well, yes, sir! yes! What you have discovered through your spies is true. I _was_ tried and sentenced as a thief--I _was_ married when I first saw you--and it is this miserable creature, this offscouring of the kennels, this thief, that has become _the wife_ of the proud Mr. Mohun--in the eyes of the world at least! I am so still--my character is untainted--dare to expose me and have me punished, and it is _your_ proud name that will be tarnished! _your_ grand escutcheon that will be blotted! Come! arrest me, expose me, drag me to justice! I will stand up in open court, and point my finger at you where you stand cowering, in the midst of jeers and laughter, and say: “There is Mr. Mohun, of the ancient family of the Mohuns,--he is the husband and the dupe of a thief!”’ “She was splendid as she uttered these words, Surry. They thrilled me, and made my blood flame. I half rose, nearly beside myself--then I resumed my seat and my coolness. A moment afterward I was as calm as I am at this moment, and said, laughing:-- “‘So you have prepared that pretty little tableau, have you, madam? I compliment you on your skill;--and even more on your nerve. But have you not omitted one thing--a very trifling portion, it is true, of the indictment to be framed against you? I refer to the little scene of this evening, madam.’ “Her teeth closed with a snap. Otherwise she exhibited no emotion. Her flashing eyes continued to survey me with the former defiance.