"I did not think so myself; but Phil keeps goading me on, and I don't know what I may become. If he had minded his own business, and not troubled himself about mine, he would have been safe in Chicago to-day."
"But you don't mean to kill him?"
"That will depend upon himself—and you."
"Upon me?"
"Yes, upon you, in part."
"What shall I do?"
"Sit down, Miss Collingsby, and make yourself comfortable," he continued, with a smile, as though he were rather pleased with his own reflections.
"I will say anything I can to my father, and I will induce my mother to speak for you," said she, seating herself near my head.
"I know your father better than you do, Miss Collingsby. He would be ashamed of himself to be influenced by you, or by your mother. I won't trust him till I have a hold upon him. I don't ask for any pleading in my behalf, because I know it would do no good."
"What do you wish me to do?"