well; now to answer you. What does this mean? Why, it means that you
have made an enemy, by your atrocious flirting, of one whom you cruelly
and shamefully jilted, who has vowed vengeance, and who knows how to
keep that vow. Why this deception--this abduction? Well, without
deception it was impossible to get you away, and we know just enough
about you to serve our purpose. Miriam never sent that note; but Miriam
exists. Who am I? Why, I am that enemy--if one can be your enemy who
loves you to madness--a man you cruelly taught to love you, and then
scornfully refused. Where are you being taken? To a safe place, my
charming Mollie--safe as 'that deepest dungeon beneath the castle moat'
which you have read of. When are you to be restored to your friends?
When you have been my wife one week--not an instant sooner."

Mollie, bound and blindfolded, made one frantic gesture. The man by her
side understood.

"That means you won't," he said, coolly. "Ah, my fairy Mollie,
imprisonment is a hard thing to bear! I love you very dearly, I admire
your high spirit intensely; but even eaglets have had their wings
clipped before now. You treated me mercilessly--I am going to be
merciless in my turn. You don't care for this old man I have saved you
from marrying. I am young and good-looking--I blush as I say it--a far
more suitable husband for you than he. You are trying to recognize my
voice and place me, I know. Leave off trying, my dearest; you never
will. I am perfectly disguised--voice, face, figure. When we part you
will be no wiser than you are now."

He ceased speaking. The carriage rattled on and on through the shining,
starlit night for endless hours, it seemed to Mollie.