Footsteps entered, traversed the
entry, and began to mount the stairs. How I detested the folly of
not pursuing the man when he withdrew, and bolting after him the
outer door! Might he not conceive this omission to be a proof that
my angel had deserted me, and be thereby fortified in guilt?
Every step on the stairs which brought him nearer to my chamber
added vigor to my desperation. The evil with which I was menaced
was to be at any rate eluded. How little did I preconceive the
conduct which, in an exigence like this, I should be prone to
adopt! You will suppose that deliberation and despair would have
suggested the same course of action, and that I should have
unhesitatingly resorted to the best means of personal defense
within my power. A penknife lay open upon my table. I remembered
that it was there, and seized it. For what purpose you will
scarcely inquire. It will be immediately supposed that I meant it
for my last refuge, and that, if all other means should fail, I
should plunge it into the heart of my ravisher.
I have lost all faith in the steadfastness of human resolves.
Pages:
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451