Well, he, at any rate, is in my
power. Now look here. You've got to make your choice. Either you stop all
this nonsense and become my wife, or--your friend Darrien dies. Do you
hear me?"
Rachel made no answer. Now for the first time she was really frightened,
and feared lest her speech should show it.
"You have been through a lot," he went on, slowly; "you are tired out, and
don't know what you say, and you believe that I killed the old people,
which I didn't, and, of course, that has set you against me. Now, I don't
want to be rough, or to hurry you, especially as I have plenty of things
to see about before we are married. So I give you three days. If you don't
change your mind at the end of them, the young man dies, that's all, and
afterwards we will see whether or no you are in my power. Oh! you needn't
stare. I've gone too far to turn back, and I don't mind a few extra risks.
Meanwhile make yourself easy, dear Richard shall be well looked after, and
I won't bother you with any more love-making. That can wait."
Rachel rose from her seat and pointed with the spear to the door in the
wall.
"Go," she said.
"All right, I am going, Rachel. Good-bye till this time three days. I hope
my women will make you as comfortable as possible in this rough place.
Pages:
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300