"Die, girl! There are worse things than death in the world!" said
Colonel Le Noir, with a threatening glare.
"I know it! and one of the worst things in the world would be a
union with a man I could neither esteem nor even endure!" exclaimed
Clara.
Colonel Le Noir saw that there was no use in further disguise.
Throwing off, then, the last restraints of good breeding, he said:
"And there are still more terrible evils for a woman than to be the
wife of one she 'can neither esteem nor endure!' "
Clara shook her head in proud scorn.
"There are evils to escape which such a woman would go down upon her
bended knees to be made the wife of such a man."
Clara's gentle eyes flashed with indignation.
"Infamous!" she cried. "You slander all womanhood in my person!"
"The evils to which I allude are--comprised in--a life of dishonor!"
hissed Le Noir through his set teeth.
"This to my father's daughter!" exclaimed Clara, growing white as
death at the insult. "Aye, my girl! It is time we understood each
other. You are in my power, and I intend to coerce you to my will!"
These words, accompanied as they were by a look that left no doubt
upon her mind that he would carry out his purpose to any extremity,
so appalled the maiden's soul that she stood like one suddenly
struck with catalepsy.
The unscrupulous wretch then approached her and said:
"I am now going to the county seat to take out a marriage license
for you and my son.
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