Earnestness, and not embarrassment, was in his tone. He
advanced close to me while he spoke:--
"What voice was that which lately addressed you?"
He paused for an answer; but, observing my trepidation, he resumed,
with undiminished solemnity, "Be not terrified. Whoever he was, he
has done you an important service. I need not ask you if it were
the voice of a companion. That sound was beyond the compass of
human organs. The knowledge that enabled him to tell you who was
in the closet was obtained by incomprehensible means.
"You knew that Carwin was there. Were you not apprised of his
intents? The same power could impart the one as well as the other.
Yet, knowing these, you persisted. Audacious girl! But perhaps
you confided in his guardianship. Your confidence was just. With
succor like this at hand you may safely defy me.
"He is my eternal foe; the baffler of my best-concerted schemes.
Twice have you been saved by his accursed interposition. But for
him I should long ere now have borne away the spoils of your
honor."
He looked at me with greater steadfastness than before.
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