No cowardice had been held by me in greater abhorrence than that which prompted an injured female to destroy, not her injurer ere the injury was perpetrated, but herself when it was without remedy.

Yet now this penknife appeared to me of no other use than to baffle my assailant, and prevent the crime by destroying myself.

To deliberate at such a time was impossible; but among the tumultuous suggestions of the moment, I do not recollect that it once occurred to me to use it as an instrument of direct defence.

The steps had now reached the second floor.

Every footfall accelerated the completion, without augmenting, the certainty of evil.