'What had he done to you--that you should hunt him down?
what have we done to you that you should slay us?
Oh! have mercy! Have mercy! Let him go, and we will pray for you, I and my sister will pray for you, every morning and night of our lives.' I was in terror lest someone should come and see her lying there, and I stooped and tried to raise her.

But she only sank the lower, until her tender little hands touched the rowels of my spurs.

I dared not move, At last I took a sudden resolution.
'Listen, then, Madame!' I said almost sternly, 'if you will not rise.
You forget everything, both how I stand, and how small my power is! You forget that if I were to release your husband to-day he would be seized within the hour by those who are still in the village and who are watching every road--who have not ceased to suspect my movements and my intentions.

You forget, I say my circumstances--' She cut me short on that word.

She sprang to her feet and faced me.