The Midnight Queen - Page 105/177

"Are you aware, dear lady, what the result of such a step would be?"

"Death!" she said, coldly.

"Death, transportation, or life-long imprisonment to them all--misery

and disgrace to many a noble house; for some I saw there were once

friends of mine, with families I honor and respect. Could I bring the

dwarf and his attendant imps to Tyburn, and treat them to a hempen

cravat, I would do it without remorse--though the notion of being

informer, even then, would not be very pleasant; but as it is, I cannot

be the death of one without ruining all, and as I told you, some of

those were once my friends. No, madame, I cannot do it. I have but once

to die and I prefer death here, to purchasing life at such a price."

***** There was a short silence, during which they gazed into each other's

eyes ominously, and one was about as colorless as the other.

"You refuse?" she coldly said.

"I must! But if you can save my life, as you say, why not do it, and fly

with me? You will find me the truest and most grateful of friends, while

life remains."

"You are very kind; but I want no friendship, Sir Norman--nothing but

revenge! As to escaping, I could have done that any time since we came

here, for I have found out a secret means of exit from each of these

vaults, that they know nothing of. But I have staid to see him dead at

my feet--if not by my hand, at least by my command; and since you

will not do it, I will make the attempt myself. Farewell, Sir Norman

Kingsley; before many minutes you will be a corpse, and your blood be

upon yourself!"

She gave him a glance as coldly fierce as her dagger's glance, and

turned to go, when he stepped hastily forward, and interposed: "Miranda--Miranda--you are crazed! Stop and tell me what you intend to

do."

"What you feared to attempt," she haughtily replied; "Sheathe this

dagger in his demon heart!"

"Miranda, give me the dagger. You must not, you shall not, commit such a

crime!"

"Shall not?" she uttered scornfully. "And who are you that dares to

speak to me like this? Stand aside, coward, and let me pass!"

"Pardon me, but I cannot, while you hold that dagger. Give it to me, and

you shall go free; but while you hold it with this intention, for your

own sake, I will detain you till some one comes."

She uttered a low, fierce cry, and struck at him with it, but he caught

her hand, and with sudden force snatched it from her. In doing so he was

obliged to hold it with its point toward her, and struggling for it in a

sort of frenzy, as he raised the hand that held it, she slipped forward

and it was driven half-way to the hilt in her side. There was a low,

grasping cry--a sudden clasping of both hands over her heart, a sway, a

reel, and she fell headlong prostrate on the loathsome floor.