They seemed to me, however, to be a lazy lot, for they scarce got up as far as the place where Ethel was.

Now, you know, all this time I was doomed to inaction.

But at this juncture I strolled carelessly along, pretending not to see any thing in particular; and so, taking up an easy attitude, I waited for the denouement.

It was a terrible position too.

That child-angel! I would have laid down my life for her, but I had to stand idle, and see her rush to fling her life away.