Warn you, that is all. My husband is master in this region; his power hath

Hardly any limit; the people prosper or starve, as he wills. If you resembled

Not the man whom you profess to be, my husband might bid you pleasure

Yourself with your dream in peace; but trust me, I know him well, I know

What he will do; he will say to all that you are but a mad impostor, and

straightway all will echo him.' She bent upon Miles that same steady look once

more, and added: 'If you were Miles Hendon, and he knew it and all the

Region knew it — consider what I am saying, weigh it well — you would stand

In the same peril, your punishment would be no less sure; he would deny you

and denounce you, and none would be bold enough to give you countenance.'

'Most truly I believe it,' said Miles, bitterly. 'The power that can command

One lifelong friend to betray and disown another, and be obeyed, may well

Look to be obeyed in quarters where bread and life are on the stake and no

cobweb ties of loyalty and honor are concerned.'

A faint tinge appeared for a moment in the lady's cheek, and she dropped her

eyes to the floor; but her voice betrayed no emotion when she proceeded:

'I have warned you, I must still warn you, to go hence. This man will destroy

You else. He is a tyrant who knows no pity. I, who am his fettered slave, know

This. Poor Miles, and Arthur, and my dear guardian, Sir Richard, are free of