me. Charge this man -- for you have influence with
him -- to liberate me; oh! charge him to release me.
Turn me into the lane, into the field, or where you
will; but let me leave this house without delay."

The female, with a grim smile, bade her recompose
herself; whilst the burly brute doggedly hinted to
her that she would have to remain some time in
those parts, and might as well sit down and be con-
tent. Perplexed at this second announcement of her
intended restriction, Amanda stood mute in fear
and horror. To arouse the creature in whose power
she was might be immediately dangerous, but, for a
moment, to seem resigned to her abduction was im-
possible. Trembling with dismay and sickening
with apprehension, her limbs would scarcely sustain
her; and as she mentally revolved, looking wistfully
around, as if to spy any nook or cranny for escape,
she at last exclaimed:

"Again, I ask, why am I brought hither? Outlaw,
who are you? wherein have I wronged you, that
you should drag me to I know not where? What
place is this, and why have you come with men as
heartless as yourself, stealing me from my home to
bring me hither, and cast me into this den?" and
her bosom filled as she ended; but her hearer, know-
ing no compunction, only answered with a sneer:
"To clip your wings, madam," then gave a low
laugh, as if of self-applause at his quickness of rep-
artee, or the prospect of her humiliation, and added:
"Pray, miss, retire; you have not been abed to-night,
and watching is not good for English ladies' eyes."

"Shameless!" she cried, looking upon him with
unmitigable disdain, "how dare you hint at rest

[[86]]

p085 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p086w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p087

v?