"Ring the bell! you dare not ring it! I defy you..... What could you say? what do I do here? .... Ring it, by all means!"
She was stung by his manner, and looking on him with intense scorn, said,—
"I will."
As she moved towards the bell, he drew a pistol from his pocket. She started, terrified at the sight.
"You brave me, do you?" he said, hoarse with passion; "you brave me; well! ring!"
Her hand was on the bell: she hesitated.
"What means that? Do you intend to murder me?"
"I do!"
She did not start, she did not scream; a smile of unutterable scorn passed over her face.
"Ring it, I tell you."