seclusion in a convent?"

Daumon shook with laughter, as he kept his ear closely to the keyhole.

"Good business," muttered he. "Not so bad. Here's a little girl from a
convent. She has a clever brain and a glib tongue, and under my tuition
would be a perfect wonder. If this country booby does not make an open
declaration at once, I wonder what her next move will be?"

"And you hesitated," said Norbert reproachfully. "Remember you may
escape from the walls of the convent, but not from the bonds of an
ill-assorted marriage."

Diana, who looked more beautiful than ever in her despair, wrung her
hands.

"What reason can I give to my father for declining this offer?" said
she. "Every one knows that I am almost portionless, and that I am
sacrificed to my brother, immolated upon the altar erected before the
cruel idol of family pride; and how dare I refuse a suitable offer when
one is made for my hand?"

"Have you forgotten me?" cried Norbert. "Have you no love for me?

"Ah, my poor friend, you are no more free than I am."

"Then you look on me as a mere weak boy?" asked he, biting his lips.

"Your father is very powerful," answered she in tones of the deepest
resignation; "his determination is inflexible, and his will inexorable.
You are completely in his power."

"What do I care for my father?" cried the young man fiercely. "Am not
I a Champdoce too? Woe be to any one, father or stranger, who comes
between me and the woman I love devotedly; for I do love you, Diana, and
no mortal man shall take you from me."

He clasped Diana to his breast, and pressed a loving kiss upon her lips.

"Aha," muttered Daumon, who had lost nothing from his post of espial,
"this is worth fifty thousand francs at least to me."

For a moment Diana remained clasped in her lover's embrace, and then,
with a faint cry, released herself from him. She then felt that she
loved him, and his kiss and caresses sent a thrill like liquid fire
through her veins. She was half pleased and half terrified. She feared
him, but she feared herself more.

"What, Diana! Would you refuse me?" asked he, after a moment's pause.
"Do you refuse me, when I implore you to be my wife, and to share my
name with me? Will you not be the Duchess of Champdoce?"

Diana only replied with a glance; but if her eyes spoke plainly, that
look said "Yes."

"Why, then," returned Norbert, "should we alarm ourselves with empty
phantoms? Do you not trust me? My father may cer