"I have sent for him," said Vernon.
"He will not see me alive."
Vernon saw she was desperate, and to prevent her carrying out her threat he seized her hands.
"Unhand me! I am your prisoner, but I am a woman. Let me die, for death would be better than a life such as he proposes."
"Don't be stupid, Miss Decatur, the man I sent for is John Tempest——"
"It is false!"
But as she uttered the words Tempest entered the cabin.
"Bertha!"
"John! What does it all mean?"