His mere presence was deadly.

Plainly as if he had spoken was the significance of his long gaze.

Any one could have translated that look.
Once before Nell had faced it, and fainted when its dread meaning grew clear to her.

But now she returned his gaze with one in which flashed lightning scorn, and repulsion, in which glowed a wonderful defiance.
The cruel face of this man, the boastful barbarity of his manner, the long, dark, bloody history which his presence recalled, was, indeed, terrifying without the added horror of his intent toward her, but now the self-forgetfulness of a true woman sustained her.
Girty and Deering backed out of the door.

Heckewelder closed it, and dropped the bar in place.
Nell fell over the table with a long, low gasp.