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" The madness that goes before destruction isA FIRST APPEAL.45coming fast upon you," she said; " Isee it nonethe more clearly because that destruction mustinvolve me too.Letit come;Iam ready for it,asIhave been ready for any evil for a long timenow. You speak idle words to me when you reproachme, Stewart.Iam above and beyondreproach from y-ou. Iam as wicked a woman, ifthe definition of good and evil be true, as everlived upon this earth;butIhave been, and am,to you what no good woman could be — and lookto it, if you requite me ill. /don't threaten youin saying this — no threats can come from me, norwould any avail — but in your treachery to me, itsown punishment will be hidden, ready to springout upon and destroyyou. Scorn my influence,slight my counsel, turn a deaf ear to the wordsthat are inspired by love such as only a wretchlike me, with no hope or faith at all in Heaven,—and only this hope and faith onEarth, can feeland see the end."He stepped forward ancl yvas going to speak,but she put out her hand and stopped him." Not now. Don't say anything to me, don't