“What is it but shame, the wrong you would do to the purest and sweetest wife man ever had; what else but shame that you should offer to prostrate your government to your own purposes; what but foulest shame that almost within hearing of the woman you would thus wrong you seek to pollute my ears with this infamous profession? If there be a spark of manhood in you, kindle it till it light up your soul sufficiently to save you and me from this unholy degradation.” “Your passion but whets my love, Gabrielle. I am not a man to be set aside from a purpose once formed. My purpose is now set--you shall be my wife; and neither man nor devil nor God shall turn me.” “I have but one word, then. I hold your offer to be vile and degrading, and I would rather die than falter for an instant in repudiating it.” “You will not turn me,” he repeated. “I have offered you my love--a love that burns in me as a consuming fire--and you think to put it aside with indignation and contempt. But there are other emotions fighting for me than love. And fear is one of them.” “I do not fear your lordship,” flashed Gabrielle, with lofty pride. “Yet there is none in Morvaix to protect you from me.” “My cousin Gerard----” “He has fled the city, like the craven, guilty, worthless wretch he is,” he answered contemptuously. “It is not true, my lord. He is here in your castle. He came with me, foreseeing more clearly than I the purpose with which you brought me here. He came for my protection. And he is no craven guilty wretch as you say, but a good and true man: the man, my lord, whom I love, and whose wife I shall be, by the grace of God.” He stood fighting with the tempest of rage which this proud avowal provoked and was still striving for self-restraint, when an interruption occurred. Some one came to the door, and when, with an angry exclamation, he opened it, he found a messenger from de Proballe. “Your Grace, M. le Baron de Proballe desires me to say that he seeks the favour of an immediate audience with you on matters of the most urgent importance affecting closely M. de Cobalt,” said the man. “He has not fled, you say?” cried the Duke, turning to Gabrielle, and jumping to the conclusion that that was the news. His manner was full of exultation, and he laughed unpleasantly as he added: “Come and see for yourself.” Together they went down to where de Proballe was waiting with strange news that had brought him in hot haste to the Castle. At the sight of her uncle’s face and the triumphant glance he cast at her, Gabrielle felt her heart sink in momentary fear for Gerard; but she rallied quickly and faced them both with a confident smile as she waited for the tidings. CHAPTER XIII DISCOVERY While Gabrielle was closeted with the Duchess Gerard had made the best use of his time to learn what he could of the Governor’s Castle.