“What do you mean?” she asked, trembling.
“I mean,” he replied, calmly, “that since my hopes are wrecked at any rate, their death will give me revenge, without harm to my interests—_they must die!_”
“And dare you think that I would marry one whose hands were bloody with such a deed?” she asked, proudly.
“Listen to me,” said he, laying his hand on her arm; “my hands are not _now_ bloody—yet you reject me. If I spare these men, you will reject me still—and I shall lose my revenge, and not gain your love.”
“If you will be mine,” he interrupted, perceiving that the moment had arrived, “both these men shall be sent back, unharmed, to the American army—and I shall be not only the happiest of men, for the requital of my love, but will also be saved, what I feel would be a great crime!”
“If you know it to be a great crime, why commit it?” she asked.
“Ah, Margarita! you little understand man’s feelings. But come,” he added, suddenly, “time presses—I cannot wait. You reject me—they must die!”
He turned away as he spoke, as if to resume his commands; but Margarita called him back.
“If I consent,” she commenced, with hesitation, “when will you demand the fulfillment of my promise?”
“_To-night_,” he replied; “so soon as Father Aneres can be brought from _La Embocadura_!”
“Why such haste?” she demanded. “Will not to-morrow be quite soon enough? Remember, my mother was only buried to-day!”
“A few hours can make no difference in that matter,” he replied, “but _might_ in another view. I must have your hand _to-night_, or these men must die _now_.”
It was a terrible alternative. But Margarita had seen Harding’s messenger, and knew that McCulloch, with his Rangers, might be expected within three hours. The only question was, whether she could find excuses enough to delay the ceremony for that length of time. Could she do so, she was safe; but—and it was a terrible thought—should De Marsiac use his power to hasten it, she was lost! But, running over in her mind all the plausible reasons she might give for an hour’s delay, and especially reflecting upon the consequences of a refusal, she at length determined to consent.
“Then I understand you to consent?” he asked.
“I do,” she replied, “on the condition that you send these unfortunate men to their army immediately.”