“I well know whom I have to deal with, my lord,”
she said, “and am, therefore, provided against
the last extremity. Attempt to touch me, and I
plunge this dagger into my heart.”
“Your sense of religion will not allow you to
commit so desperate a deed,” replied the earl,
derisively.
“My blood be upon your head, my lord,”
she rejoined; “for it is your hand that strikes
the blow, and not my own. My honour is dearer
to me than life, and I will unhesitatingly sacrifice
the one to preserve the other. I have no fear
but that the action, wrongful though it be, will be
forgiven me.”
“Hold!” exclaimed the earl, seeing from
her determined look and manner that she would unquestionably
execute her purpose. “I have no desire to
drive you to destruction. Think over what I have
said to you, and we will renew the subject tomorrow.”
“Renew it when you please, my lord, my answer
will still be the same,” she replied. “I
have but one refuge from you—the grave—and
thither, if need be, I will fly.” And as
she spoke, she moved slowly towards the adjoining
chamber, the door of which she fastened after her.
“I thought I had some experience of her sex,”
said Rochester to himself, “but I find I was
mistaken. To-morrow’s mood, however, may
be unlike to-day’s. At all events, I must
take my measures differently.”
* * * *
*
THE MARRIAGE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
Unwilling to believe he had become an object of aversion
to Amabel, Rochester renewed his solicitations on
the following day, and calling into play his utmost
fascination of manner, endeavoured to remove any ill
impression produced by his previous violence.
She was proof, however, against his arts; and though
he never lost his mastery over himself, he had some
difficulty in concealing his chagrin at the result
of the interview. He now began to adopt a different
course, and entering into long discussions with Amabel,
strove by every effort of wit and ridicule, to shake
and subvert her moral and religious principles.
But here again he failed; and once more shifting his
ground, affected to be convinced by her arguments.
He entirely altered his demeanour, and though Amabel
could not put much faith in the change, it was a subject
of real rejoicing to her. Though scarcely conscious
of it herself, he sensibly won upon her regards, and
she passed many hours of each day in his society without
finding it irksome. Seeing the advantage he had
gained, and well aware that he should lose it by the
slightest indiscretion, Rochester acted with the greatest
caution. The more at ease she felt with him,
the more deferential did he become; and before she
was conscious of her danger, the poor girl was once
more on the brink of the precipice.
