The knife, however, owing to the thick layers of cloth with which the dress of the other was patched, as well as to the weakness of the thin and worn blade, did not penetrate her clothes, nor render her any injury whatsoever.  The contest was again resumed.  Sarah, perceiving that she had missed her aim, once more put herself into a posture to renew the deadly attempt; and the consequence was, that a struggle now took place between them which might almost be termed one for life and death.  It was indeed a frightful and unnatural struggle.  The old woman, whose object was, if possible, to disarm her antagonist, found all her strength—­and it was great—­scarcely a match for the murderous ferocity which was now awakened in her.  The grapple between them consequently became furious; and such was the terrible impress of diabolical malignity which passion stamped upon the features of this young tigress, that her step-mother’s heart, for a moment quailed on beholding it, especially when associated with the surprising activity and strength which she put forth., Her dark and finely-pencilled eye-brows were fiercely knit, as it were, into one dark line; her lips were drawn back, displaying her beautiful teeth, that were now ground together into what resembled the lock of death:  her face was pale with over-wrought with resentment, and her deep-set eyes glowed with a wild and flashing fire that was fearful, while her lips were encircled with the white foam of revengeful and deadly determination; and what added most to the terrible expression on her whole face was the exulting smile of cruelty which shed its baleful light over it, resolving the whole contest, as it were, and its object—­the murder of her step-mother—­into the fierce play of some beautiful vampire that was ravening for the blood of its awakened victim.

After a struggle of some two or three minutes, the strength and coolness of the step-mother at length prevailed, she wrested the knife out of Sarah’s hands and, almost at the same moment, stumbled and fell.  The other, however, was far from relaxing her hold.  On the contrary, she clung to her fiercely, shouting out—­

“I won’t give you up yet—­I love you too well for that—­no, no, it’s fond of you I’m gettin’.  I’ll hug you, mother, dear; ay will I, and kiss you too, an’ lave my mark behind me!” and, as she spoke, her step-mother felt her face coming in savage proximity to her own.

“If you don’t keep away, Sarah,” said the other, “I’ll stab you.  What do you mane, you bloody devil?  It is going to tear my flesh with your teeth you are?  Hould off! or, as heaven’s above us, I’ll stab you with the knife.”

“You can’t,” shouted the other; “the knife’s bent, or you’d be done for before this.  I’ll taste your blood for all that!” and, as the words were uttered, the step-mother gave a sudden scream, making at the same time a violent effort to disentangle herself, which she did.

Sarah started to her feet, and flying towards the door, exclaimed with shouts of wild triumphant laughter—­