‘Nay,’ he cried, ‘you scream for help in vain; there is no one at hand to interpose to save you! The triumph so long protracted, now is mine! This hour; this very moment gives you to my arms!’
‘Almighty God! protect me! save me!’ again shrieked our heroine, in the most frantic accents, and, with a desperate effort she released herself from Blodget’s hold, and retreated to the farther end of the apartment, where, on a table, was a knife. Scarcely knowing what she did, she snatched it up, and, as Blodget approached towards her, she flourished it menacingly, and exclaimed:
‘Villain! advance but an inch towards me, and this knife shall stretch me a bleeding corpse at your feet!’
Blodget was completely staggered by the determined air which Inez assumed, and he was transfixed to the spot whereon he stood, not knowing what course to pursue.
Our heroine still flourished the knife menacingly, and kept the villain at bay.
‘You see I am resolute,’ she cried; ‘and, by Heaven, sooner than I will be dishonored, I will put my threat into execution! Death is preferable to the dreadful, the disgusting fate which you have threatened me. Nay, nothing can move me from my purpose! Quit the room, miscreant; unless you would have my death to answer for, in addition to your other numerous crimes!’
‘Inez,’ ejaculated Blodget, offering to approach her; ‘hear me!’
‘Not a word,’ firmly replied Inez; ‘nothing whatever can shake my resolution; begone!’
At that moment a loud noise was heard at the chamber door, and immediately afterwards the voices of several persons.
Blodget turned pale and trembled.