Catherine for a moment stood helpless and speechless. Then there also came from her eyes warm tears, and with the tears she found words--mild, kind words--of sympathy and comfort. She told him again and again that she would love him as a sister should love a brother; that his young, sorrowful heart would find peace; that he should see in her his sister; and that he would find pure happiness in this feeling until there blossomed out another happiness in the love of a virtuous girl, in which no one would more deeply share than she and Lambert. "Do not speak his name," said Conrad. He had jumped up, all his limbs shaking with anger and his eyes flashing. He convulsively grasped his gun, which stood near, by the barrel. "You think you are going to play me off with words. For me smooth words; for him kisses! I saw to-day in the woods how handsomely you can kiss." He broke out in loud laughter. Catherine, frightened, drew back. "So!" said Conrad, "that is your true face. Do you still love me as a sister her brother?" "If you are so unbrotherly, no!" said Catherine. "But you do not know what you are saying." "Truly not," growled Conrad. "And not what you are doing," said Catherine. "You would otherwise be ashamed to torment a poor, helpless girl." She leaned against the door-post, pale and trembling, her hands folded over her breast, her large eyes fixed on the angry man, who tried in vain to meet her gaze, and raved before her like a wild animal. Then the dog dashed forward, and at the same moment the dull hoof-beats of a horse in full run became perceptible. Fear seized Catherine as to what the issue would be should Lambert now return--and it could be no other. "Conrad!" she called; "Conrad, it is your brother." Impelled by an overwhelming feeling she threw herself before him and wound her arms about his knees. "Let me be!" cried Conrad. "Not till you have sworn that you will not injure him." "Let me be!" cried Conrad again, and he violently tore her loose. Catherine tottered forward, stumbled and fell. Her head struck hard against the door-sill. She came near fainting, but with a great effort picked herself up again, as angry voices struck her ear, and threw herself between the brothers. "Lambert! Conrad! For God's sake, rather kill me! Conrad, it is your brother. Lambert, he does not know what he is doing!" The brothers released each other, and panting, looked at one another with flashing eyes. By the sound Lambert's rifle had fallen to the ground. Conrad held his half-raised in his strong hands. "Now," said Lambert; "why do you not shoot?" "I do not want to kill you," said Conrad. "If I wanted your life I could have taken it this morning." "What then do you want?" "Nothing from you. Why did you come just now? You shall not see me again. Since we have happened again to meet, let me tell you that it must be the last time. Go your own way and let me go mine."