nd unrelenting foe! The love you have rejected has turned into
bitterness, and the dregs of that bitterness you shall drink till your soul
sickens unto death! I will never lose sight of you! Go where you may, I
will follow you! Hide in what corner of the world you may, I will find you!
When you meet me, remember I am an implacable enemy, seeking revenge!"

"Go, vile miscreant, from my presence! Think not to intimidate me. Better
an 'open enemy than a secret foe.' I am glad you have unmasked yourself so
fully. Now I know that I have escaped the worst fate on earth."

"Not the worst! To be the wife of even a villain is better than to be his
victim!"

"Leave my presence, sir, or I will call a slave to put you out! Infamous
wretch! The curse of God be upon you!"

He went, quailing under the flash of her indignant eye, which made his
guilty soul cower in abasement.

When he was fairly gone, her high strung energies relaxed, and the reaction
prostrated her strength. She sunk upon a lounge, and, giving way to her
feelings, exclaimed:

"That man may yet work the ruin of my happiness! Oh, God, pity me, and let
not the wicked triumph! In Thee I put my trust. Let thy watchful eye be
over me, and thy power protect me. Oh, let me not fall into the hands of my
enemy; but preserve me by thy right hand, and keep me lifted up!"

Prayer gave her strength, and renewed her courage. Relying, with firm
faith, on the goodness and watchful care of her Father in heaven, she
became cheerful and composed.

She very seldom saw or heard anything of Durant, but when she did, it
always awakened fear. For a year she heard nothing of him, and, at last,
the old dread had passed from her heart, when her father prepared to go to
the West.

As for Durant, he went from her presence muttering curses and threatening
vengeance, among which was distinguished by a slave, grated out between his
clenched teeth, "I'll make her repent this day's work in 'sack-cloth and
ashes!' aye, if all h--ll oppose!"

CHAPTER III.

THE VILLAIN AND HIS VICTIM.

The reader has, doubtless, arrived at the conclusion that Durant was
planning the destruction of Ellen Walton when he so earnestly desired the
assistance of Miss Fleming; and it will now be perceived how false were his
statements in relation to the _character_ of the expected guest. Though
unseen himself, he had taken every precaution to make certain of the party
at the Fleming Hotel; and just at the c