There was a coldness
of taunt in these remarks, that implied his sense of the
deception I had practised on him, in regard to the true
nature of the relationship; and for a moment, while my
hand firmly grasped the hilt of my sword, I hesitated
whether I should not cut him down at my feet: I had
self-command, however, to abstain from the outrage, and
I have often since regretted I had. My own blood could
have been but spilt in atonement for my just revenge;
and as for the obloquy attached to the memory of the
assassin, it could not have been more bitter than that
which has followed me through life. But what do I say?"
fiercely continued the warrior, an exulting ferocity
sparkling in his eye, and animating his countenance; "had
he fallen, then my vengeance were but half complete. No;
it is now he shall feel the deadly venom in his heart,
that has so long banqueted on mine.
"Determined to know from her own lips," he pursued, to
the shuddering Clara, whose hopes, hitherto strongly
excited, now, began again to fade beneath the new aspect
given to the strange history of this terrible man;--
"determined to satisfy myself from her own acknowledgment,
whether all I had heard was not an imposition, I summoned
calmness enough to desire that your mother might confirm
in person the alienation of her affection, as nothing
short of that could convince me of the truth.
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