For more than a quarter of an hour the Captain then detailed his scheme. During the recital, as on a former occasion in Stacy's cabin, the quick changes on L'Estrange's face showed the passions within his breast. When it was finished, for a moment he sat mute; then rising, said in a hollow voice:-- "Captain de Vere, I did not know you; you must be leagued with the Evil One to think of a scheme so heartless,--so diabolical." "Keep your abuse for those who'll stand it,--I for one won't. I see you are a chicken-hearted fool! If you begin to grow soft, better throw up the whole,--faint heart never won fair woman yet,--let her marry,--see her in another's arms! A rare sight for a faithful lover!" "Speak not of love, you who propose a plan so devilish,--you can never have felt it; your love is base, not true passion! I love the girl too well to harm a ringlet of her hair; I will not agree." "Base ingrate, hear me. I care not what you do--it is nothing to me who gains your sweetheart. I have striven, worked, plotted for your weal; this is my reward--unqualified abuse. You and your paramour may go to the devil. I will have no more to do with you--good night." "Stay," said L'Estrange, as he rose to depart, "oh, stay--forgive me, I meant not what I said; only give me time to think,--if you knew how I loved her!" The Captain resumed his seat. "Listen, L'Estrange," he said, "there is nothing after all to call forth such a storm of abuse; you may make your own terms." "Ah! I see it now in a different light,--but her agony--her fright--her terror--it would kill her,--no, no! I will not." "Weak, vacillating, inconsistent as a woman, you must be fixed. Hearken, L'Estrange, you have gone too far now to retract; you did not enlist me for nothing; this concerns not only you, but me also; it is of paramount importance to me that Wentworth marries not Ellen; there is but one way to prevent their union,--it must be done; you are a fool to hesitate." "You know not what you ask; I cannot acquiesce." "Then by G-- Almighty, I will bring you to your bearings! Either agree and be a man, or else refuse, and I at once go to Wentworth and disclose the treachery." "It were better,--there needs but this to fill my cup of infamy." "You are undecided still?" "Give me time; even the murderer is granted time to make his peace with heaven." "I am not unreasonable--I will give you five minutes;--there lies my watch," said the Captain, laying it on the table; "it is now five minutes to twelve,--when the clock strikes, your doom is sealed one way or another."