I shall have the carriage at the door by six
o'clock this evening, when I desire that you shall be ready to
accompany us to church, where a clerical friend will be in
attendance to perform the marriage ceremony. Clara Day, if you would
save your honor, look to this!"
All this time Clara had neither moved nor spoken nor breathed. She
had stood cold, white and still as if turned to stone.
"Let no vain hope of escape delude your mind. The doors will be kept
locked; the servants are all warned not to suffer you to leave the
house. Look to it, Clara, for the rising of another sun shall see my
purpose accomplished! "
And with these words the atrocious wretch left the room. His
departure took off the dreadful spell that had paralyzed Clara's
life; her blood began to circulate again; breath came to her lungs
and speech to her lips.
"Oh, Lord," she cried, "oh, Lord, who delivered the children from
the fiery furnace, deliver the poor handmaiden now from her terrible
foes!"
While she thus prayed she saw upon the writing table before her a
small penknife. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes brightened as she
seized it.
"This! this!" she said, "this small instrument is sufficient to save
me! Should the worst ensue, I know where to find the carotid artery,
and even such a slight puncture as my timorous hand could make would
set my spirit free! Oh, my father! oh, my father! you little thought
when you taught your Clara the mysteries of anatomy to what a
fearful use she would put your lessons! And would it be right? Oh,
would it be right? One may desire death, but can anything justify
suicide? Oh, Father in heaven, guide me! guide me!" cried Clara,
falling upon her knees and sobbing forth this prayer of agony.
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