For some minutes they were silent; and suddenly, with an exceeding bitter cry, she stood up, close to him, seizing him in her tiny hands by the collar, and with wild eyes gazing into his, she said—
'See what you've brought me to—wretch, wretch, wretch!'
And she shook him with violence as she spoke. It was wonderful how that fair young face could look so terrible.
'There, Radie, there,' said Lake, disengaging her fingers. 'You're a little hysterical, that's all. It will be over in a minute; but don't make a row. You're a good girl, Radie. For Heaven's sake, don't spoil all by folly now.'
He was overawed and deprecatory.
'A slave! only think—a slave! Oh frightful, frightful! Is it a dream? Oh frightful, frightful! Stanley, Stanley, it would be mercy to kill me,' she broke out again.
'Now, Radie, listen to reason, and don't make a noise; you know we agreed, you must go, and I can't go with you.'
Lake was cooler by this time, and his sister more excited than before they went out.
'I used to be brave; my courage I think is gone; but who'd have imagined what's before me?'
Stanley walked to the window and opened the shutter a little. He forgot how dark it was. The moon had gone down. He looked at his watch and then at Rachel. She was sitting, and in no calmer state; serene enough in attitude, but the terribly wild look was unchanged. He looked at his watch again, and held it to his ear, and consulted it once more before he placed the tiny gold disk again in his pocket.