"
"And if I refuse, Mr. Meyer?"
"Then I am sorry, but I must take means to compel your obedience. Under
those circumstances, much against my will, I shall be obliged"--here
his eye blazed out wildly--"to execute your father, whose obstinacy
and influence stand between us and splendid fortunes. No, Clifford," he
added, "don't stretch out your hand towards that rifle, for I am already
covering you with the pistol in my pocket, and the moment your hand
touches it I shall fire. You poor old man, do you imagine for a single
second that, sick as you are, and with your stiff limbs, you can hope to
match yourself against my agility, intellect, and strength? Why, I could
kill you in a dozen ways before you could lift a finger against me, and
by the God I do not believe in, unless your daughter is more compliant,
kill you I will!"
"That remains to be seen, my friend," said Mr. Clifford with a laugh,
for he was a brave old man. "I am not certain that the God--whom you do
not believe in--will not kill you first."
Now Benita, who had been taking counsel with herself, looked up and said
suddenly:
"Very well, Mr. Meyer, I consent--because I must. To-morrow morning you
shall try to mesmerize me, if you can, in the same place, before the
crucifix in the cave.
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