"
"Your ladyship will leave by the way you entered," rejoined Lord Roos.
"I will attend you to the door--and unfasten it for you."
"Before we go, I would have a word with my husband--it may be my last,"
said Lady Roos to her mother. "I pray you withdraw a little, that we may
be alone."
"Better not," rejoined Lady Lake. But unable to resist her daughter's
imploring looks, she added, "Well, as you will. But it is useless."
With this she proceeded to the little passage, and remained there.
As Lady Roos turned to her husband, she saw, from the stern and
inflexible look he had assumed, that any appeal made to him would be
unavailing, and she attempted none. A moment elapsed before she could
utter a word, and then it was only a murmur to heaven for guidance and
support.
"What say you, Elizabeth?" demanded Lord Roos, thinking she had
addressed him.
"I asked for support from on High, William, and it has been accorded to
me," she replied in a low sweet voice. "I can now speak to you. It is
not to weary you with supplications or reproaches that I thus detain
you. I have something to impart to you, and I am sure you will eagerly
listen to it. Come nearer, that we may not be overheard."
Lord Roos, whose curiosity was aroused by her manner, obeyed her.
"I am all attention," he said.
"I feel I am in your way, William," she rejoined, in a deep whisper;
"and that you desire my death. Nay, interrupt me not; I am sure you
desire it; and I am equally sure that the desire will be gratified, and
that you will kill me.
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