Hamilton has never harmed you, and can, therefore, only be hated by
you through me; do not, then, make him the object of your wrath, but let it
fall on me. I will readily burn at the stake to save him."
This last remark, as it showed the depths and tenderness of her love for
his rival, only excited him the more, and he repeated his intention of
burning Hamilton at the stake in her presence, with many additions,
purposely introduced to make a more horrifying impression. In vain she
pleaded for her lover, and offered herself as the sacrifice; the only
effect of her prayers was to render him more savage and determined in his
intentions and avowals. The excitement of the interview, however, in her
case, superinduced a state of fever, which bid fair, for a few days, to
render her recovery very doubtful. This result was not expected by Durant,
and he in turn became alarmed, lest his dearly bought vengeance should yet
slip from him. Every exertion was put forth for her restoration, and
finally success crowned the well directed but ill intentioned efforts of
the villain. Ellen's fever abated, and she again began to mend. It would be
some time, however, ere the monster would dare renew his threats, and in
the interim, he set his wits to work with a little different object in
view.
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