Remember that I'm a woman, an' on my knees before you. A
blow from you would make him take your life or mine, sooner than that I
should become your wife. You ought to know his temper."
"You know, Ellen, I can't at heart refuse you any thing. I will not
strike your brother."
"You promise, before God, that no provocation will make you strike him."
"That's hard, Ellen; but--well, I do; before God, I won't--an' it's for
your sake I say it. Now, get up, dear, get up. You have got me to do
what no mortal livin' could bring me to but yourself. I suppose that's
what made you send Nanse M'Collum for my staff?"
"Nancy M'Collum! When?"
"Why, a while ago. She tould me a quare enough story, or rather no story
at all, only that you couldn't come, an' you could come, an' I was to
give up my staff to her by your ordhers."
"She tould you false, John. I know nothing about what you say."
"Well, Ellen," replied Lamh Laudher, with a firm seriousness of manner,
"you have brought me into danger. I doubt, without knowin' it. For my
own part, I don't care so much. Her unlucky aunt met me comin' here this
evenin', and threatened both our family and yours. I know she would sink
us into the earth if she could. Either she or your brother is at the
bottom of this business, whatever it is. Your brother I don't fear; but
she is to be dreaded, if, all's true that's said about her.
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