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have long felt towards him； it would be
his attempting thus to trick and frighten
me into a marriage which he knows to be
revolting to me； and which is sought by
him only as a means for securing to
himself whatever property is mine。'
As I said this； I fixed my eyes upon
those of my uncle； but he was too old in
the world's ways to falter beneath the
gaze of more searching eyes than mine； he
simply said：
'Are you acquainted with the provisions
of your father's will？'
I answered in the affirmative； and he
continued：
'Then you must be aware that if my
son Edward werewhich God forbidthe
unprincipled； reckless man you pretend to
think him'（here he spoke very slowly；
as if he intended that every word which
escaped him should be registered in my
memory； while at the same time the
expression of his countenance underwent a
gradual but horrible change； and the eyes
which he fixed upon me became so darkly
vivid； that I almost lost sight of everything
else）'if he were what you have
described him； think you； girl； he could
find no briefer means than wedding
contracts to gain his ends？ 'twas but to gripe
your slender neck until the breath had
stopped； and lands； and lakes； and all were
his。'
I stood staring at him for many minutes
after he had ceased to speak； fascinated
by the terrible serpent…like gaze； until he
continued with a welcome change of countenance：
'I will not speak again to you upon this
topic until one month has passed。 You
shall have time to consider the relative
advantages of the two courses which are
open to you。 I should be sorry to hurry
you to a decision。 I am satisfied with
having stated my feelings upon the subject；
and pointed out to you the path of duty。
Remember this day monthnot one word
sooner。'
He then rose； and I left the room； much
agitated and exhausted。
This interview； all the circumstances
attending it； but most particularly the
formidable expression of my uncle's
countenance while he talked； though hypothetically；
of murder； combined to arouse all
my worst suspicions of him。 I dreaded to
look upon the face that had so recently
worn the appalling livery of guilt and
malignity。 I regarded it with the
mingled fear and loathing with which one
looks upon an object which has tortured
them in a nightmare。
In a few days after the interview； the
particulars of which I have just related； I
found a note upon my toilet…table； and on
opening it I read as follows：
'MY DEAR LADY MARGARET；
'You will be perhaps surprised to
see a strange face in your room to…day。 I
have dismissed your Irish maid； and
secured a French one to wait upon youa
step rendered necessary by my proposing
shortly to visit the Continent； with all my
family。
'Your faithful guardian；
'ARTHUR TN。'
On inquiry； I found that my faithful
attendant was actually gone； and far on
her way to the town of Galway； and in
her stead there appeared a tall； raw…boned；
ill…looking； elderly Frenchwoman； whose
sullen and presuming manners seemed to
imply that her vocation had never before
been that of a lady's…maid。 I could not
help regarding her as a creature of my
uncle's； and therefore to be dreaded；
even had she been in no other way suspicious。
Days and weeks passed away without
any； even a momentary doubt upon my
part； as to the course to be pursued by me。
The allotted period had at length elapsed；
the day arrived on which I was to
communicate my decision to my uncle。
Although my resolution had never for a
moment wavered； I could not shake of
the dread of the approaching colloquy；
and my heart sunk within me as I heard
the expected summons。
I had not seen my cousin Edward since
the occurrence of the grand eclaircissment；
he must have studiously avoided
meI suppose from policy； it could not
have been from delicacy。 I was prepared
for a terrific burst of fury from my uncle；
as soon as I should make known my
determination； and I not unreasonably
feared that some act of violence or of
intimidation would next be resorted to。
Filled with these dreary forebodings； I
fearfully opened the study door； and the
next minute I stood in my uncle's
presence。 He received me with a politeness
which I dreaded； as arguing a favourable
anticipation respecting the answer
which I was to give； and after some slight
delay； he began by saying：
'It will be a relief to both of us； I
believe； to bring this conversation as soon
as possible to an issue。 You will excuse
me； then； my dear niece； for speaking with
an abruptness which； under other
circumstances； would be unpardonable。 You
have； I am certain； given the subject of
our last interview fair and serious con…
sideration； and I trust that you are now
prepared with candour to lay your answer
before me。 A few words will sufficewe
perfectly understand one another。'
He paused； and I； though feeling that I
stood upon a mine which might in an
instant explode； nevertheless answered with
perfect composure：
'I must now； sir； make the same reply
which I did upon the last occasion； and I
reiterate the declaration which I then
made； that I never can nor will； while life
and reason remain； consent to a union with
my cousin Edward。'
This announcement wrought no apparent
change in Sir Arthur； except that he
became deadly； almost lividly pale。 He
seemed lost in dark thought for a minute；
and then with a slight effort said：
'You have answered me honestly and
directly； and you say your resolution is
unchangeable。 Well； would it had been
otherwisewould it had been otherwise
but be it as it isI am satisfied。'
He gave me his handit was cold and
damp as death； under an assumed calmness；
it was evident that he was fearfully
agitated。 He continued to hold my hand
with an almost painful pressure； while； as
if unconsciously； seeming to forget my
presence； he muttered：
'Strange； strange； strange； indeed！
fatuity； helpless fatuity！' there was here a
long pause。 'Madness INDEED to strain a
cable that is rotten to the very heartit
must breakand thenall goes。'
There was again a pause of some
minutes； after which； suddenly changing
his voice and manner to one of wakeful
alacrity； he exclaimed：
'Margaret； my son Edward shall plague
you no more。 He leaves this country on
to…morrow for Francehe shall speak no
more upon this subjectnever； never
morewhatever events depended upon
your answer must now take their own
course； but； as for this fruitless proposal； it
has been tried enough； it can be repeated
no more。'
At these words he coldly suffered my
hand to drop； as if to express his total
abandonment of all his projected schemes
of alliance； and certainly the action； with
the accompanying words； produced upon
my mi