as I have said before, I do not love you, I have
no wish to embroil matters so far as an outrage on the house of your
father-in-law, might be reasonably expected to do:--at all events, while
the gate to an amicable compromise between us is still open."

"I am satisfied on this head," said Aram, "and I can now treat with
you in a spirit of less distrustful precaution than before. I tell you,
Houseman, that the terms are no longer at your control; you must leave
this part of the country, and that forthwith, or you inevitably perish.
The whole population is alarmed, and the most vigilant of the London
Police have been already sent for. Life is sweet to you, as to us all,
and I cannot imagine you so mad, as to incur not the risk, but the
certainty, of losing it. You can no longer therefore, hold the threat of
your presence over my head. Besides, were you able to do so, I at least
have the power, which you seem to have forgotten, of freeing myself from
it. Am I chained to yonder valleys? have I not the facility of quitting
them at any moment I will? of seeking a hiding-place, which might
baffle, not only your vigilance to discover me, but that of the Law?
True, my approaching marriage puts some clog upon my wing, but you know
that I, of all men, am not likely to be the slave of passion. And what
ties are strong enough to arrest the steps of him who flies from a
fearful death? Am I using sophistry here, Houseman? Have I not reason on
my side?"

"What you say is true enough," said Houseman reluctantly; "I do not
gainsay it. But I know you have not sought me, in this spot, and at this
hour, for the purpose of denying my claims: the desire of compromise
alone can have brought you hither."

"You speak well," said Aram, preserving the admirable coolness of his
manner; and continuing the deep and sagacious hypocrisy by which he
sought to baffle the dogged covetousness and keen sense of interest with
which he had to contend. "It is not easy for either of us to deceive
the other. We are men, whose perceptions a life of danger, has sharpened
upon all points; I speak to you frankly, for disguise is unavailing.
Though I can fly from your reach--though I can desert my present home
and my intended bride, I would fain think I have free and secure choice
to preserve that exact path and scene of life which I have chalked out
for myself: I would fain be rid of all apprehension from you. There are
two ways only by which this security can be