At that moment a dreadful shriek was heard; it was Marguerite, who had returned from her mother, and who had, at a glance, comprehended all that had happened. She rushed upon Emanuel, and at that instant he fired the pistol, but the direction of the ball having been changed by the young girl’s striking up his arm, it passed two or three inches above Paul’s head, and shattered the glass above the chimney-piece. “My brother!” cried Marguerite, with one bound, springing to were Paul stood, and throwing her arms around him: “my brother, are you not wounded?” “Your brother!” exclaimed Emanuel, letting fall the pistol which was still smoking; “your brother!” “Well, Emanuel!” said Paul, with the same calmness which he had evinced during the whole of this painful scene; “do you now comprehend why it was I could not fight with you?” At that moment, the marchioness appeared at the door, pale as a spectre, for she had heard the report of the pistol; then looking around her with an expression of infinite terror, and seeing that no one was wounded, she silently raised her eyes to heaven, as if to ask if its anger was at length appeased. She remained thus for some time in an attitude of mental thanksgiving. When she again cast down her eyes, Emanuel and Marguerite were on their knees before her, each holding one of her hands, and covering it with tears and kisses. “I thank you, my children,” said the marchioness, after a short silence; “and now leave me with this young man.” Marguerite and Emanuel bowed with an expression of the most profound respect, and obeyed the command of their mother. CHAPTER XVIII--RECOGNITION. Oh! my mother! You do not know the heart that you have pierced! I--I--thy son--thine Arthur--I avenge? Never on thee. Live happy--love my brother-- Forget that I was born. Here, here--these proofs-- These--these! Oh! see you where the words are blistered With my hot tears? I wept--it was for joy-- I did not think of lands, of name, of birthright-- I did but think these arms should clasp a’ mother. Bulwer.--The Sea Captain. The marchioness closed the door as soon as they had withdrawn, advanced into the middle of the room, and went without looking at Paul, and leaning upon the arm-chair in which the marquis had the night before been seated to sign the contract. There she remained standing, with her eyes cast upon the ground. Paul for a moment experienced the desire to throw himself upon his knees before her, but there was upon the features of the marchioness such an expression of severity, that he repressed the yearnings of his heart, and stood motionless awaiting her commands. After a few moments of ice-like silence, the marchioness addressed him. “You desired to see me, sir, and I have come to know your will--you wished to speak to me--I am listening.”