Some muffled sounds, that might be considered to mean anything, came from beneath the covering of silk. ‘Am I to comprehend,’ said Blodget, ‘that your own good sense enables you to see the necessity of submitting to circumstances that are beyond your control entirely?’ A something was said; or attempted to be said. ‘Let me assure you,’ added he, ‘that I am well aware of the love your father has for you, and that he will spare no means to liberate you from me. It would be quite an insult to your understanding to attempt to deceive you for one moment with regard to the object of thus making you a prisoner. It is simply in order to get money from him who loves you beyond all the world beside. Do you hear me?’ ‘Yes.’ The tone in which the yes was spoken was very consolatory to Blodget, for it let him think that Inez saw the inutility of attempting any resistance to him. ‘You are reasonable, I feel,’ he said, ‘and I can assure you upon my word, lightly as you may think of that word, that where I am trusted I know how to behave myself with honor. The readiness with which you succumb to circumstances that now surround you will have the greatest effect in inducing me to make this as agreeable to you as possible. Do you comprehend me?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Will you, then,’ he said, ‘quietly come with me to a place of safety away from here?’ ‘I will.’ ‘You will?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then I have to compliment you upon your conduct in this affair, and I know that by saying that for your sake I will not contrive aught against the life of him who loves you, I shall be bestowing upon you the greatest recompense that’s in my power.’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Then we are equal. Allow me to hope that you will arise and follow me. Here are various articles of clothing about the room. You have the use of your hands, and if I hand the things to you, one by one, will you then put them on?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘I am very sorry to place you in such a position as this—very sorry indeed.’ Blodget was so pleased at the compliance of Inez with all his plans, that he really felt a kindness for her, and he was determined, therefore, to behave to her with all the delicacy that the transaction could possibly enable him to practice. He caught up various articles of female apparel, and with his back towards the bed. ‘Be as quick as you can,’ he said, ‘for the fact is that I am in danger here, though you are in none.’ ‘Yes, yes,’ said the voice. ‘Upon my life, she must be terribly frightened to give way to me in this manner.’ One by one he kept handing articles of clothing, and they were put on, till at last he said— ‘I should think you are ready to leave the house now, along with me, are you not?’ ‘I am so.’ ‘Then follow me, if you please; but let me again assure you before I go that I am only going to make a kind of hostage of you, and that as soon as I have you in safety I will send to your father and let him know; and upon his promise not to molest me for the future, I will release you.’ ‘Yes.’