Though Nick saw at a glance that his situation had taken on an
unexpected and desperate phase, he suppressed any betrayal of it. He met
the woman eye to eye, while she briefly paused and faced him, with a
cruel smile curling her gray lips.
"So I have you now, Nick Carter," she cried, with mocking significance.
"Well, yes, in a way," admitted Nick, coolly.
"I have you in my power," hissed Cervera, with a vicious display of
satisfaction.
"Ah! that's different," said Nick.
"How different?"
"That you have me in your power remains to be demonstrated."
"Are we not alone here, you fool?"
"Yes, very much alone."
"And you helpless?"
"Apparently."
"If I wish, Nick Carter, I can kill you."
"Then pray don't wish it," said Nick. "I am still too young to be
heartlessly slain, even by so beautiful and accomplished a woman."
"_Caramba!_ you mock me!" cried Cervera, darting toward him with eyes
ablaze and her lithe figure quivering with passion. "You mock me!--you
shall repent it! Perdition! you shall repent it!"
"Is that so?"
"You shall repent it, I say!"
"In this world, or in the next?" inquired Nick, bent upon prolonging the
scene as much as possible, with a hope that Chick might suddenly turn
up.
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