The Duke paused as he made this allusion to the Laurebourg arms, and
then continued, "In addition to this, she has great expectations; and
yet my son is mad enough to refuse the hand of this wealthy heiress."

"If you think that this marriage will cause your son's happiness, you
are quite right in acting as you have done."

"Happiness! What has that to do with the matter, as long as it adds to
the aggrandizement of our house and name? I have made up my mind that
Norbert shall marry this girl; I have sworn it, and I never break my
oath. I told him this myself."

Diana suffered acutely, but her pride supported her, whilst her
confidence in Norbert was so great that she had the boldness to inquire,
"And what did he say to that?"

"Norbert will become a dutiful son once more when he is removed from the
malignant influence which has been so injurious to him," returned the
Duke fiercely.

"Indeed."

"He will obey me, when I show him that though he may not value his name
and position, there are others who do so; and that many a woman would
fight a brave battle for the honor of being the Duchess of Champdoce.
Young lady, my son is a mere boy; but I have known the world, and when I
prove to the poor fool that it was only grasping ambition which assumed
the garb of love, he will renounce his folly and resume his
allegiance to me. I will tell him what I think of the poverty-stricken
adventuresses of high birth, whose only weapons are their youth and
beauty, and with which they think that they can win a wealthy husband in
the battle of life."

"Continue, sir," broke in Diana haughtily. "Insult a defenceless girl
with her poverty! It is a noble act, and one worthy of a high-born
gentleman like yourself!"

"I believed," said the Duke, "that I was addressing the woman whose
advice had led my son to break into open rebellion against my authority.
Am I right or wrong? You can prove me to be mistaken by urging upon
Norbert the necessity for submission."

She made no reply, but bent her head upon her bosom.

"You see," continued the Duke, "that I am correct, and that if you
continue to act as you have done, I shall be justified in retaliating in
any manner that I may deem fit. You have now been warned. Carry on this
intrigue at your peril."

He placed such an insulting emphasis upon the word "intrigue" that
Diana's anger rose to boiling point. At that instant, for the sake of
vengeance, she would have risked her honor, her