“‘Is there not an additional clause in the said indictment, madam?’ I calmly continued, ‘which the commonwealth’s attorney will perhaps rely on more fully than upon all else in the document, to secure your conviction and punishment? You are not only a bigamist and an ex-convict,--you are also a poisoner, my dear madam, and may be hanged for that. Or, if not hanged--there is that handsome white house at Richmond, the state penitentiary. The least term which a jury can affix to your crime, will be eighteen years, if you are not sent there for life! For life!--think of that, madam. How very disagreeable it will be! Nothing around you but blank walls; no associates but thieves and murderers--hard labor with these pretty hands--a hard bed for this handsome body--coarse and wretched food for these dainty red lips--the dress, the food, the work, and the treatment of a convict! Disagreeable, is it not, madam? But that is the least that a felon, convicted of an attempt to poison, can expect! There is only one point which I have omitted, and which may count for you. This life in prison will not be so hard to you--since your ladyship has already served your apprenticeship among felons.’ “The point at last was reached. Madam had listened with changing color, and my words seemed to paint the frightful scene in all its horror. Suddenly fury mastered her. She rose and seemed clutching at some weapon to strike me. “‘You are _a gentleman_! you insult a woman.’ “‘You are a poisoner, madam--you make tea for the gentleman!’ “‘You are a coward! do you hear? a coward!’ “‘I can not return, madam, the same reproach!’ I replied, rising and bowing; ‘it required some courage to attempt to poison me upon the very night of my wedding!’ “My words drove her to frenzy. “‘Beware!’ she exclaimed, taking a step toward me, and putting her hand into her bosom. “‘Beware!’ I said, with a laugh, ‘beware of what, my dear Madam Laffarge?’ “‘Of this!’ “And with a movement as rapid as lightning she drew from her breast a small silver-mounted pistol, which she aimed straight at my breast. “I was not in a mood to care much for pistols, Surry. When a man is engaged in a little affair like that, bullets lose their influence on the nerves. “‘That is a pretty toy!’ I said. ‘Where did you procure it madam, the poisoner?’ “With a face resembling rather a hideous mask than a human countenance, she rushed upon me; placed the muzzle of the pistol on my very breast; and drew the trigger. “The weapon snapped. “A moment afterward I had taken it from her hand and thrown it into a corner. “‘Very well done!’ I said. ‘What a pity that you use such indifferent caps! Your pistol is as harmless as your tea!’ “She uttered a hoarse cry, but did not recoil in the least, Surry! This woman was a curiosity. Instead of retreating from me, she clenched her small white hand, raised it above her head, and exclaimed:-- “‘If _he_ only were here!’