‘Think again!’
‘I have nothing more to say upon the detested subject.’
‘If, by so doing, you could purchase the life of Monteagle—’
‘Ah!’ grasped forth Inez, turning deadly pale, and clutching the arm of Blodget, and with distended eye-lids;—‘what mean you? Speak! speak!—I know you have something of a particular nature to impart to me! Reveal it! I beseech you, and keep me not in suspense!—Oh, Blodget if you have indeed any regard for my feelings, tell me, what of Monteagle?’
‘Calm your feelings!’
‘You rack me!’
‘Compose yourself!’
‘Talk not to me of composure!’ shrieked Inez.
‘He is in my power.’
Poor Inez tried hard to speak, but she could not; she was transfixed to the spot, and gazed upon Blodget with a look in which the greatest astonishment and horror were depicted. The announcement of Blodget came like a thunderbolt upon her, and her faculties seemed to be all bound up in the suddenness and unexpectedness of the circumstance.