The next day, the struggle evidently continued; and it had such an effect on Euphra, that Margaret could not help feeling very anxious about the result as regarded her health, even if she should be victorious in the contest.  But not for one moment did Margaret quail; for she felt convinced, come of it what might, that the only hope for Euphra lay in resistance.  Death, to her mind, was simply nothing in the balance with slavery of such a sort.

Once —­ but evidently in a fit of absence —­ Euphra rose, went to the door, and opened it.  But she instantly dashed it to again, and walking slowly back, resumed her seat on the couch.  Margaret came to her from the other side of the bed, where she had been working by the window, for the last quarter of an hour, for the sake of the waning light.

“What is it, dear?” she said.

“Oh, Margaret! are you there?  I did not know you were in the room.  I found myself at the door before I knew what I was doing.”

“But you came back of yourself this time.”

“Yes I did.  But I still feel inclined to go.”

“There is no sin in that, so long as you do not encourage the feeling, or yield to it.”

“I hate it.”

“You will soon be free from it.  Keep on courageously, dear sister.  You will be in liberty and joy soon.”

“God grant it.”

“He will, Euphra.  I am sure he will.”

“I am sure you know, or you would not say it.”

A knock came to the street door.  Euphra started, and sat in the attitude of a fearful listener.  A message was presently brought her, that Mr. Sutherland was in the drawing-room, and wished to see her.

Euphra rose immediately, and went to him.  Margaret, who did not quite feel that she could be trusted yet, removed to a room behind the drawing-room, whence she could see Euphra if she passed to go down stairs.

Hugh asked her if she could tell him anything more about Count Halkar.

“Only,” she answered, “that I am still surer of his being near me.”

“How do you know it?”

“I need not mind telling you, for I have told you before that he has a kind of supernatural power over me.  I know it by his drawing me towards him.  It is true I might feel it just the same whether he was in America or in London; but I do not think he would care to do it, if he were so far off.  I know him well enough to know that he would not wish for me except for some immediate advantage to himself.”

“But what is the use of his doing so, when you don’t know where he is to be found.”

“I should go straight to him, without knowing where I was going.”

Hugh rose in haste.

“Put on your bonnet and cloak, and come with me.  I will take care of you.  Lead me to him, and the ring shall soon be in your hands again.”

Euphra hesitated, half rose, but sat down immediately.

“No, no!  Not for worlds,” she said.  “Do not tempt me.  I must not —­ I dare not —­ I will not go.”