“I am come to warn thee that great, very great and imminent danger is hanging, impended but by a thread, over thy head.”

This blunt and unexpected announcement caused Ellen to start with a shudder, and sent the blood still more forcibly upon her heart, which labored, for a moment, under the load, and then beat so loud she was afraid the stranger would hear it.  Noticing the effect of his words, he continued: 

“Thou hast an enemy, a bitter enemy, who has sworn to do thee an evil, and it is in his heart to keep the oath.  I see by the pallor of thy countenance thou hast not forgotten him.”

And true it was that the mention of “an enemy” called up her old foe to the most vivid recollection of the now thoroughly alarmed Ellen.  With the utmost exertion of her strength and will, she could barely suppress the outward manifestations of her terror.

“Well, this enemy, whom you had well-nigh forgotten, has never, for a single day, had thee out of his mind.  Ever since his threat, he has been laying deep schemes to ruin thee, and once very nearly succeeded.  For two years he has been at work in a new way; his plans are about matured, and you will soon be in his power!”

This last clause was spoken slowly, and emphasized on every word.  All the time he was speaking, Ellen’s feelings became more and more intensely excited, and, at the close, had reached the limit of control.  For a moment she was overcome, and leaned against a tree for support; but seeing the stranger make a motion as though to assist her, she rallied again, and, becoming more composed, demanded: 

“How know you these things of which you speak?”

“It matters but little to thee, to know more than the facts in the case; these I tell thee, but no more.”

“Then you have come as a kind friend to warn me of my danger?”

“Aye, and more.”

“Thanks! thanks! and pardon me if, at the first, I looked with suspicion on a friend.  The circumstances of our meeting is my apology for the ungenerous thought.”

“Thou hadst cause to suspect, if not to fear me, and for thy thought I have no need to pardon thee.  But my mission is not yet completed.”

“Then let us go to the house of my father, which is but a short way off, and there hear what further is to be said.”

“No, I have but little time, and this place will answer my purpose quite as well as your father’s house, with the situation of which I am well acquainted.”

“Indeed!  Then you are not a stranger in these parts?”

“Not entirely so; but as my business was with you, more particularly, it was natural that I should familiarize myself with your place of abode, that, if need be, I might render myself efficient in a case of emergency, which may arrive but too soon.”

This allusion to danger re-awakened Ellen’s apprehensions, which noticing, he continued: