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Edith was on her feet with outstretched arel! He is small and weak You would not do him a hurt! Did you not say so this very day? For God's sake, Nigel, do not look at him so! There is death in your eyes"

"A snake may be small and weak, Edith, yet every honest man would place his heel upon it Do you stand back yourself, for my purpose is set"

"Paul!" she turned her eyes to the pale sneering face "Bethink you, Paul! Why should you not do what he asks? What matter to you whether it be now or on Monday? I pray you, dear Paul, for my sake let hiain if it so please him Let us wed now, Paul, and then all is well"

He had risen fro hands "You foolish woman," he snarled, "and you, ainst a cripple, you have both to learn that if my body be weak there is the soul of , country Squire would have me do so--no, by the soul of God, I will die first! On Monday I will marry, and no day sooner, so let that be your answer"

"It is the answer that I wished," said Nigel, "for indeed I see no happiness in this e, and the other ently forced her to one side and drew his sword

De la Fosse cried aloud at the sight "I have no sword You would not ard-face and burning eyes against his chair The bright steel shone in the laht Edith shrank back, her hand over her face

"Take this sword!" said Nigel, and he turned the hilt to the cripple "Now!" he added, as he drew his hunting knife "Kill me if you can, Paul de la Fosse, for as God isand yet spellbound and fascinated, looked on at that strange combat For a rasped in his nerveless fingers Then as he saw the tiny blade in Nigel's hand the greatness of the advantage cahtened his loose lips Slowly, step by step he advanced, his chin sunk upon his chest, his eyes glaring froh the brushwood Nigel waited for him, his left hand forward, his knife down by his hip, his face grave, still and watchful