While he was thus eloquently pleading his cause, Isabelle, who had given him only a divided attention, thought that she heard a peculiar little noise in the direction whence the longed-for aid was to come, and fearing that Vallombreuse might hear it also, hastened to answer him the instant that he paused, in a way to vex him still further--for she preferred his anger to his love-making.

Also, she hoped that by quarrelling with him she would be able to prevent his perceiving the suspicious little sound--now growing louder and more noticeable.
"The happiness that you so eloquently describe, my lord, would be for me a disgrace, which I am resolved to escape by death, if all other means fail me.

You never shall have me living.

Formerly I regarded you with indifference, but now I both hate and despise you, for your infamous, outrageous and violent behaviour to me, your helpless victim.

Yes, I may as well tell you openly--and I glory in it--that I do love the Baron de Sigognac, whom you have more than once so basely tried to assassinate, through your miserable hired ruffians." The strange noise still kept on, and Isabelle raised her voice to drown it.