"
"Not for the universe, my angel; bl----t 'em! let any of 'em hurt a hair
of your head! I only want to love you a little, my beauty! that's
all!--only want to pet you to your heart's content;" and the brute made
a step toward her.
"Hear me!" exclaimed Edith, raising her hand.
"Well, well, go on, my dear, only don't be too long!--for my men want
something to eat and drink, and I have sworn not to break my fast until
I know the flavor of those ripe lips."
Edith's fingers closed convulsively upon the pistol still held bidden.
"I am alone and defenseless," she said; "I remained here, voluntarily,
to protect our home, because I had faith in the better feelings of men
when they should be appealed to. I had heard dreadful tales of the
ravages of the enemy through neighboring sections of the country. I did
not fully believe them. I thought them the exaggerations of terror, and
knew how such stories grow in the telling. I could not credit the worst,
believing, as I did, the British nation to be an upright and honorable
enemy--British soldiers to be men--and British officers gentlemen. Sir,
have I trusted in vain? Will you not let me and my servants retire in
peace? All that the cellars and storehouses of Luckenough contain is at
your disposal.
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