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Rh aiding a fellow-creature to escape from a violent and dreadful death."

"And so," exclaimed he, angrily, "for a foolish, vain, and womanish fancy—compassion, as you call it—you have let loose a firebrand on this unhappy land, and defrauded a vengeance as just as ever exacted the fearful penalty of blood for blood!"

"I will but answer," replied Francesca, in the words of your own holy creed,—'Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord; I will repay.'"

"Maiden," interrupted Major Johnstone, pale with rage and a yet deeper feeling, "it is but a little while ago, according to ordinary reckonings—but a miserable eternity to the miserable—that I dwelt, a man of peace, in a happy home—happy in content and affection. In one night that house was burnt to the ground—ground reddened with the blood of those nearest and dearest to me. I was left without one kindred tie on earth; and stood next morning beside the blackened heap which had been my happy, happy house, with but one thought of the future in my heart. Maiden, that was vengeance!”

Francesca could not speak, but her eyes fully showed the intense sympathy the story had awakened.