"Are you aware, dear lady, what the result of such a step would be?"
"Death!" she said, coldly.
"Death, transportation, or life-long imprisonment to them all--misery
and disgrace to many a noble house; for some I saw there were once
friends of mine, with families I honor and respect. Could I bring the
dwarf and his attendant imps to Tyburn, and treat them to a hempen
cravat, I would do it without remorse--though the notion of being
informer, even then, would not be very pleasant; but as it is, I cannot
be the death of one without ruining all, and as I told you, some of
those were once my friends. No, madame, I cannot do it. I have but once
to die and I prefer death here, to purchasing life at such a price."
***** There was a short silence, during which they gazed into each other's
eyes ominously, and one was about as colorless as the other.
"You refuse?" she coldly said.
"I must! But if you can save my life, as you say, why not do it, and fly
with me? You will find me the truest and most grateful of friends, while
life remains."
"You are very kind; but I want no friendship, Sir Norman--nothing but
revenge! As to escaping, I could have done that any time since we came
here, for I have found out a secret means of exit from each of these
vaults, that they know nothing of. But I have staid to see him dead at
my feet--if not by my hand, at least by my command; and since you
will not do it, I will make the attempt myself. Farewell, Sir Norman
Kingsley; before many minutes you will be a corpse, and your blood be
upon yourself!"
She gave him a glance as coldly fierce as her dagger's glance, and
turned to go, when he stepped hastily forward, and interposed: "Miranda--Miranda--you are crazed! Stop and tell me what you intend to
do."
"What you feared to attempt," she haughtily replied; "Sheathe this
dagger in his demon heart!"
"Miranda, give me the dagger. You must not, you shall not, commit such a
crime!"
"Shall not?" she uttered scornfully. "And who are you that dares to
speak to me like this? Stand aside, coward, and let me pass!"
"Pardon me, but I cannot, while you hold that dagger. Give it to me, and
you shall go free; but while you hold it with this intention, for your
own sake, I will detain you till some one comes."
She uttered a low, fierce cry, and struck at him with it, but he caught
her hand, and with sudden force snatched it from her. In doing so he was
obliged to hold it with its point toward her, and struggling for it in a
sort of frenzy, as he raised the hand that held it, she slipped forward
and it was driven half-way to the hilt in her side. There was a low,
grasping cry--a sudden clasping of both hands over her heart, a sway, a
reel, and she fell headlong prostrate on the loathsome floor.