Noticing the effect of his words, he continued:
"Thou hast an enemy, a bitter enemy, who has sworn to do thee an evil, and
it is in his heart to keep the oath. I see by the pallor of thy countenance
thou hast not forgotten him."
And true it was that the mention of "an enemy" called up her old foe to the
most vivid recollection of the now thoroughly alarmed Ellen. With the
utmost exertion of her strength and will, she could barely suppress the
outward manifestations of her terror.
"Well, this enemy, whom you had well-nigh forgotten, has never, for a
single day, had thee out of his mind. Ever since his threat, he has been
laying deep schemes to ruin thee, and once very nearly succeeded. For two
years he has been at work in a new way; his plans are about matured, and
_you will soon be in his power!_"
This last clause was spoken slowly, and emphasized on every word. All the
time he was speaking, Ellen's feelings became more and more intensely
excited, and, at the close, had reached the limit of control. For a moment
she was overcome, and leaned against a tree for support; but seeing the
stranger make a motion as though to assist her, she rallied again, and,
becoming more composed, demanded:
"How know you these things of which you speak?"
"It matters but little to thee, to know more than the facts in the case;
these I tell thee, but no more.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49