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290 adopted. Existence since her absence from London had been but one continual torment. To make her his own, or die in the attempt, had now become the object of his being.

Having placed his accomplice at the mouth of the sepulchre, impatient as he was to view his captive, no sooner had he raised the stone that hid her from his gaze, than Rosilia, grown desperate, in the hope that one courageous effort might save her from further tyranny, with a strength almost supernatural sprang forward to endeavour to escape.

Although unconscious of her design, and but little prepared to encounter such resistance, armed by the infernal ragings within him, he caught her in his strong grasp, deaf to her cries and heart-imploring accents for release.

"Shall I regard the pleadings of her," said he, in tones of irony, "to whom I have so often pleaded in vain? Did I not confide to you the insurmountable passion with which you had inspired me, and did I ever meet your clemency? Never! no, never! Rosilia, spare your cries, my heart is steeled against their influence; having obtained my prize, think you I shall relinquish it? Suppress your fears: tremble not, but place an implicit confidence in my honour; I come not as a ruffian to destroy, but as a friend to protect. You are perfectly safe in my hands; for however, barbarous girl, you may have injured me, trust me, it is not my intention here to hurt one hair of your