I set my teeth together, and gave no indication that I had heard one of her taunting speeches.

My silence only served to fan her fury.
"Upon my soul, madam," she almost shrieked, "you are enough to drive me to murder! I could beat you, standing there so dumb, as if I was not worthy to speak a word to.

Ay! and I would, but for him.

So, then, three weeks of this hasn't broken you down yet! but you are only making it the worse for yourself; we shall try other means to-morrow." She had no idea how nearly my spirit was broken, for I gave her no reply.

She came up to where I stood, and shook her clinched hand in my face--a large, well-shaped hand, with bejewelled fingers, that could have given me a heavy blow.