Again Malcolm dropped his head upon his breast, and fell into profound and troubled thought. At length he raised his head, and said, very gravely:
“I have discovered your scheme, Annella; and I am glad that I have done so in time to save you from attempting to put it into practice.”
Annella started violently, and gazed upon him anxiously.
“For the very attempt would be a crime.”
“Well, it would be my crime, not yours. I should have to answer for it, not you! And if I choose to peril my life, liberty, and honor here, and my salvation hereafter, in the service of Eudora, it is not your hand or voice that should be lifted to hinder me!” exclaimed Annella, indignantly, rising and pacing the floor. Presently she paused before him, and sharply demanded:
“Why do you, of all men in the world, seek to hinder me from attempting to save Eudora?”
“Because, dear girl, in the first place, the very attempt to save her by such means would be, as I said before, a crime; and because in the second place it would never succeed!”
“Why should it not succeed?” demanded Annella, abruptly.
“Because, dearest girl, the physician of the prison is a man of science, skill, and experience, and he would detect the trick in a moment.”
“The physician of the prison?” inquired Annella, with a puzzled look.