You accuse me of being mercenary, and for what reason?
Was it because I refused to fly with you from my father's house?
Oh, Norbert, it was but the happiness of our future life that I strove to protect.

It was----" Her speech failed her, and her eyes dilated with horror, for the door behind Norbert opened, and the Duke de Champdoce entered the room, uttering a string of meaningless words, and laughing with that mirthless laugh which is so sure a sign of idiotcy.
"Can you understand now," exclaimed Norbert, pointing to his father, "why the remembrance of my love for you has become a hateful reminiscence?
Do you dare to talk of happiness to me, when this spectre of a meditated crime will ever rise between us ?" and with a meaning gesture he pointed to the open gate of the courtyard.
She turned; but before passing away, she cast a glance upon him full of the deepest fury and jealousy.

She could not forgive Norbert for his share in the crime that she herself prompted,--for the crime which had blighted all her hopes of happiness.

Her farewell was a menace.
"Norbert," she said, as she glided through the gate like a spectre of the night, "I will have revenge, and that right soon.".