rength failed her, and, extending her hands, she
grasped the boughs of a slender birch tree that grew close by, to
prevent herself from falling. The Duke was quite as much astonished as
the young lady. He had expected to see a peasant girl, and here was
the daughter of the Marquis de Laurebourg. But anger soon succeeded to
surprise; for though he might have had nothing to fear from the peasant,
the daughter of the Marquis de Laurebourg was an utterly different
antagonist. He could not rely upon aid from her family, as, for all he
knew, they might be aiding and abetting her.

"Well, my child," began he, "you do not seem very glad to see me."

"Your Grace."

"Yes, when you come out to meet the son, it is annoying to meet the
father; but do not blame poor Norbert, for I assure you he is not in
fault."

Though Mademoiselle de Laurebourg had been startled at first, she
was possessed of too strong a will to give in, and soon recovered her
self-possession.

She never thought to screen herself by a denial of her reasons for being
on the spot, for such a course she would have looked on as an act of
treacherous cowardice.

"You are quite right," answered she. "I came here to meet your son, and
therefore you will pardon me if I take my leave of you."

With a deep courtesy she was about to move away, when the Duke laid a
restraining grip upon her arm.

"Permit me, my child," said he, endeavoring to put on a kind and
paternal tone,--"let me say a few words to you. Do you know why Norbert
did not come to meet you?"

"He has doubtless some very good reason."

"My son is locked up in a room, and my servants have my orders to
prevent his making his escape by force, if necessary."

"Poor fellow! He deserves the deepest commiseration."

The Duke was much surprised at this piece of impertinence, as he
considered it.

"I will tell you," returned he in tones of rising anger, "how it comes
that I treat my son, the heir to my rank and fortune, in this manner."

He looked savagely angry as he spoke, but Diana answered negligently,
"Pray go on; you quite interest me."

"Well then, listen to me. I have chosen a wife for Norbert; she is as
young as you are--beautiful, clever, and wealthy."

"And of noble birth, of course."

The sarcasm conveyed in this reply roused the Duke to fury.

"Fifteen hundred thousand francs as a marriage portion will outweigh a
coat of arms, even though it should be a tower argent on a field azure."