“You will have nothing to fear, Mariam; of what crime will you be guilty, for endeavoring to make some inquiries about this stranger? It is well known that old women are curious.”
“Young ones are no less so,” she replied, casting a reproachful glance at her, “and their curiosity draws more perils after it. Our holy mother, Eve, was young when—”
“Then you refuse to serve me?”
“This time I do; do not exact it, do not insist upon it. I have already had so much to struggle against on the other side.”
“How?”
“This young Frank. He is born to be your destruction and mine. But no; if you knew—”
“You know him then? Are you dreaming?”
“Have I spoken of that? By the black angel I hope it is nothing.”
“Thou wert about to betray thyself; hast thou seen him?”
“Ah! my dear mistress do not destroy me,” exclaimed the old slave, trembling with fright. “Yes, I have seen him to my misfortune.”