United States or Cayman Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He read at a glance the dissatisfaction which the will occasioned. The reason was plain; and, with the intention of drawing out Jaspar's views, he addressed him. "This Carroll is a lucky fellow," said he. "The devil is always the luckiest fellow in the crowd," growled Jaspar, with an oath. "You are right, sir," returned Maxwell, pleased to see no better feeling between his rival and the uncle.
Jaspar's disposition to prevent further conversation between Emily and Henry was not unperceived by the latter. He was satisfied that her uncle's close attendance at her side so foreign to his former manner was not without its purpose. Love, which he had in vain attempted to stifle, pressed more vigorously at his heart.
He was too far gone to effect a landing at the head of the stairs, and fell full-length upon the floor when he released his hold of the banister. Dalhousie was still up, and his knowledge of Jaspar's habits enabled him to judge the occasion of the noise he heard, and he immediately hastened to the rescue. "Lucky!" muttered he, as he lifted the fallen man.
I had half relented, but now I feel strong again!" and he rose and tottered to the table, on which his brandy-bottle stood. After taking a deep draught, he reseated himself. "You must marry this man!" said he, fiercely striking the table with his fist. "I never will!" replied Emily, trembling at Jaspar's violence, but firm in her purpose.
And I had thought that solicitude for Jaspar's soul had sent his Lily, hot-foot to prevent the crime of murder! I learnt something about women then which I shall not forget. "You propose to blackmail me, I suppose?" "Ugly word, that, but it's yours, not mine. I prefer to put it this way. I propose to consecrate this yere church with an act o' justice." "Go on!"
The poor negro, who was compelled to submit to cruel usage and short fare, knew Jaspar's nature better than uncle or niece. His advent among them had been the era from which they dated the life of misery they led a life so different from that they had been accustomed to under the superintendence of the more Christian brother.
His rifle-ball or the slave-market were always available. But Jaspar's good fortune had smiled upon him, and he felt peculiarly happy, at this moment, in the reflection that he was out of the way, for he doubted not the object of Emily in sending for him.
But, if the position of the lovers was uncomfortable, Jaspar's was painful. They had the consolation of loving and being loved; but he was now writhing under the weight of an additional torture. The appearance of Hatchie was the knell of all his hopes, the precursor of ruin. To him it was a mystery, and all his endeavors to solve it were unavailing.
At his appearance Jaspar's fears gave way to a most uncontrollable fit of passion. "Villain!" exclaimed he, "how dare you enter my house, after what has passed?" "Gently, my dear sir! You forget that we have been friends, and that our mutual safety requires us to remain so still," said De Guy, in his silky tone and compromising manner.
"Of course, and your confidence in me shall not be misplaced." Jaspar's fists were clenched, and a demoniacal expression rested on his countenance, as he said, savagely, "You know your own interest too well to do otherwise." "I am not to be intimidated," replied Maxwell, who despised his companion most heartily, and did not relish his tyrannical manner. "Your confidence, I repeat, is safe.
Word Of The Day