The Captain resumed his seat. "Listen, L'Estrange," he said, "there is nothing after all to call forth such a storm of abuse; you may make your own terms."
"Ah! I see it now in a different light,—but her agony—her fright—her terror—it would kill her,—no, no! I will not."
"Weak, vacillating, inconsistent as a woman, you must be fixed. Hearken, L'Estrange, you have gone too far now to retract; you did not enlist me for nothing; this concerns not only you, but me also; it is of paramount importance to me that Wentworth marries not Ellen; there is but one way to prevent their union,—it must be done; you are a fool to hesitate."
"You know not what you ask; I cannot acquiesce."
"Then by G— Almighty, I will bring you to your bearings! Either agree and be a man, or else refuse, and I at once go to Wentworth and disclose the treachery."
"It were better,—there needs but this to fill my cup of infamy."
"You are undecided still?"
"Give me time; even the murderer is granted time to make his peace with heaven."
"I am not unreasonable—I will give you five minutes;—there lies my watch," said the Captain, laying it on the table; "it is now five minutes to twelve,—when the clock strikes, your doom is sealed one way or another."
The most dreadful silence followed this action; you might have heard a pin fall. It was worth while to note the different aspect of the two. The Captain's eye, unrelenting and stern, betrayed a high resolve, worthy a better cause; a scornful smile curled his handsome mouth, as though he despised his weaker victim. L'Estrange's varying passions were chasing one another across his face as the shadows of clouds fleet o'er a sunlit field; his countenance was the mirror of his heart,—pity, anguish, despair, unresolve, were all there. One was like the victim, the other the destroyer, and never serpent, tiger, or demon, glared fiercer on its luckless prey than did Captain de Vere on his captive. Slowly the minutes glided away; till four were past neither spoke. When one minute only remained, the Captain said, "One more only now,—is your mind resolved?"