A thousand times rather than live shamed! Than see you sacrificed to that devil! Than go out with a brand on my brow, for every man to point at me! I would rather die a thousand times!" "And do you think that I would not ?" she answered, shivering.

"Better, far better die than--than live with him!" "Then why not die ?" She stared at him, wide-eyed, and a sudden stillness possessed her.
"How ?" she whispered.

"What do you mean ?" "That!" he said.

As he spoke, he raised his hand and signed to her to listen.

A sullen murmur, distant as yet, but borne to the ear on the fresh morning air, foretold the rising of another storm.