--not a human ear to receive my groan, and still I should stand by your
side unharmed. I, who have returned the wrongs received from you, by
vigilant, untiring benefits--I, who have saved you from so many enemies,
and so many dangers--I, who, now when all the rest of earth shun you--
when all other resource fails-I, who now say to you, 'Share my income,
but be honest!' I receive injury from that hand. No; the guilt would be
too unnatural--Heaven would not permit it. Try, and your arm will fall
palsied by your side!"

Jasper's bloodshot eyes dropped beneath the woman's fixed and scorching
gaze, and his lips, white and tremulous, refused to breathe the fierce
curse into which his brutal nature concentrated its fears and its hate.
He walked on in gloomy silence; but some words she had let fall suggested
a last resort to his own daring.

She had urged him to quit the old world for the new, but that had been
the very proposition conveyed to him from Darrell. If that proposition,
so repugnant to the indolence that had grown over him, must be embraced,
better at least sail forth alone, his own master, than be the dependent
slave of this abhorred and persecuting benefactress. His despair gave
him the determination he had hitherto lacked. He would seek Darrell
himself, and make the best compromise he could. This resolve passed into
his mind as he stalked on through the yellow fog, and his nerves
recovered from their irritation, and his thoughts regained something of
their ancient craft as the idea of escaping from Mrs. Crane's vigilance
and charity assumed a definite shape.

"Well," said he at length, dissimulating his repugnance, and with an
effort at his old half-coaxing, half-rollicking tones, "you certainly are
the best of creatures; and, as you say,