But I
have staid to see him dead at my feet - if not by my hand, at
least by my command; and since you will not do it, I will make
the attempt myself. Farewell, Sir Norman Kingsley; before many
minutes you will be a corpse, and your blood be upon yourself!"
She gave him a glance as coldly fierce as her dagger's glance,
and turned to go, when he stepped hastily forward, and
interposed:
"Miranda - Miranda - you are crazed! Stop and tell me what you
intend to do."
"What you feared to attempt," she haughtily replied; "Sheathe
this dagger in his demon heart!"
"Miranda, give me the dagger. You must not, you shall not,
commit such a crime!"
"Shall not?" she uttered scornfully. "And who are you that dares
to speak to me like this? Stand aside, coward, and let me pass!"
"Pardon me, but I cannot, while you hold that dagger. Give it to
me, and you shall go free; but while you hold it with this
intention, for your own sake, I will detain you till some one
comes."
She uttered a low, fierce cry, and struck at him with it, but he
caught her hand, and with sudden force snatched it from her. In
doing so he was obliged to hold it with its point toward her, and
struggling for it in a sort of frenzy, as he raised the hand that
held it, she slipped forward and it was driven half-way to the
hilt in her side.
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