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"You must," continued Ratcliffe; "I will remain here and wait for you." "You will not, then, stir from this place," said Miss Vere "yet thedistance is so great, you could not hear me were I to cry for assistance." "Fear nothing," said her guide; "or observe, at least, the utmost cautionin stifling every expression of timidity.Remember that his predominant and most harassing apprehension arises from a consciousness of the hideousness of his appearance.Your path lies straight beside yon half- fallen willow; keep the left side of it; the marsh lies on the right.Farewell for a time.Remember the evil you are threatened with, and let it overcome at once your fears and scruples.""Mr.Ratcliffe," said Isabella, "farewell; if you have deceived one so unfortunate as myself, you have for ever forfeited the fair character for probity and honour to which I have trusted.""On my life--on my soul," continued Ratcliffe, raising his voice as the distance between them increased, "you are safe--perfectly safe."