r it long," murmured Sybil.

Luke laughed scornfully, "So you said before," replied he; "and yet I
see not why you are likely to abandon it. The event will show. Thus far
you have deceived me, and I place no further faith in your assertions.
My hand was yours; you refused it. When I would give it to another, you
grasp it clandestinely. Am I to believe you now? The wind will
change--the vane veer with it."

"It will not veer from you," she meekly answered.

"Why did you step between me and my bride?"

"To save her life; to lay down mine for hers."

"An idle subterfuge. You know well that you run no risk of being called
upon to do so. Your life is in no danger. The sacrifice was unnecessary.
I could have dispensed with _your_ assistance; my own arm would have
sufficed to protect Eleanor."

"Your single arm would not have prevailed against numbers: they would
have killed you likewise."

"Tush!" said Luke, fiercely. "Not only have you snatched from me my
bride, you have robbed me of my fair estates, of all, save of my barren
title, and that, even _that_, you have tarnished."

"True, true," sighed Sybil. "I knew not that the lands were hers, else
had I never done it."

"False, false," cried Luke; "false as the rest. _They_ will be
Ranulph's. _She_ will be Ranulph's. I shall still be an outcast, while
Ranulph will riot in my halls--will press her to his bosom. Cling not to
me. Hence! or I will spurn you from me. I am undone, undone by you,
accursed one."

"Oh, curse me not! your words cut deep enough."

"Would they could kill you," cried Luke, with savage bitterness. "You
have placed a bar between me and my prospects, which nothing can now
remove--nothing but--ha!" and his countenance assumed a deadly hue and
fearful expression. "By Heaven, you almost rouse the fell spirit which
it is said dwells within the breast of my devoted race. I feel as if I
could stab thee."

"No, no!" shrieked Sybil; "for mercy's sake, for your own sake, do not
stab me. It is not too late. I will repair my wrong!"

"Ever deceiving! you would again delude me. You cannot repair it. One
way alone remains, and that----"

"I will pursue," responded Sybil, sadly, but firmly.

"Never!" cried Luke; "you shall not. Ha!" exclaimed he, as he found his
arms suddenly pinioned behind him. "What new treachery is this? By whose
orders am I thus fettered?"

"By mine," said Alan Rookwood, stepping forward.

"By yours?" echoed Luke. "And wherefore