Diana was about to answer this last brutal speech; but she determined not to provoke a discussion which only exposed her to the insolence of the man who was coward enough to reproach her with a frailty which had ministered to his pleasures. She bit her lips to restrain the burst of emotions which struggled for vent; and at that moment her bearing was as haughty and her aspect as proud as the superb dignity of incensed Juno. "Come, Chichester," said the baronet, after a pause of a few minutes; "I shall be off. Talbot--this is no longer a place for any one of us. Madam," he added, turning with mock ceremony to Diana, "I wish you a very good afternoon. This is the last time you will ever see me in these apartments." "I wish it to be so," said Diana, still stifling her rage with difficulty. "And I need scarcely observe," exclaimed the baronet, "that after all that has passed between us----" "Oh! I comprehend you, sir," interrupted the Enchantress, scornfully: "you need not fear me--your secrets are safe in my possession." The baronet bowed and strode out of the room followed by Chichester and Talbot. The Enchantress was then alone. She threw herself at full length upon the sofa, and remained for a long time buried in profound thought. A tear started into her large blue eye; but she hastily wiped it away with her snowy handkerchief. From time to time her lips were compressed with scorn; and then a prolonged sigh would escape her breast. Had she given a free vent to her tears, she would have experienced immediate relief: she endeavoured to stifle her passion--and it nearly suffocated her. But how beautiful was she during that painful and fierce struggle with her feelings! Her countenance was flushed; and her eyes, usually so mild and melting, seemed to burn like two stars. "No," she exclaimed, after a long silence, "I must not revenge myself that way! Up to the present moment, I have eaten _his_ bread and have been to him as a wife; and I should be guilty of a vile deed of treachery were I to denounce him and his companions. Besides--who would believe my testimony, unsupported by facts, against the indignant denial of a man of rank, family, and title? I must stifle my resentment for the present. The hour of retribution will no doubt arrive, sooner or later; and Harborough shall yet repent the cruel--the cowardly insults he has heaped on my head this day!" She paused, and again appeared to reflect profoundly. Suddenly a gleam of satisfaction passed over her countenance, and she started up to a sitting posture upon the sofa. The ample skirts of her dress were partly raised by her attitude, and revealed an exquisitely turned leg to the middle of the swell of the calf. The delicate foot, imprisoned in the flesh-coloured stocking of finest silk, tapped upon the carpet, in an agitated manner, with the tip of the glossy leather shoe.