"I can not bear to risk such a sacrifice," said Edith.

"But one has a right to fly from slavery, and to destroy any one who
tries to prevent his escape."

"I can not," said Edith. "The blood that might be shed would stain all
my life. Better to endure my misery as best I can. It must become far
worse before I can consent to any thing so terrible as the death of a
fellow-being."

"You may yet consent even to that, may you not?"

"I don't know."

"Well, if you do, you have one on whom you can rely. At any rate, I do
not think there is any reason for you to fear downright cruelty here.
The law protects you from that, just as it protects a child. You are not
a captive in the hands of one of those old feudal barons whom we read
about. You are simply a ward under the control of a guardian--a thing
most odious to one like you, yet one which does not make you liable to
any physical evil. But this is poor comfort. I know that your position
will become more intolerable as time goes on; and, Miss Dalton, whenever
you can bear it no longer, remember that I am ready. Your only danger
would be if I should happen to be ordered out of England. But even then
I would order Barber to watch over you."

Edith sighed. Her future seemed dark indeed. The chance that Dudleigh
might be ordered to America or India filled her with new alarm.