you seriously
meditate the destruction of a fond woman, who has generosity enough to
lay down her life for you? This is more incredible than the rest--more
monstrously wicked."

"Wicked it may be; but the excuse--if I have any--lies in my
overwhelming passion for you, Frances," replied Lord Roos in a frenzied
tone. "And it seems decided by the relentless destiny that governs me,
that the continued indulgence of the fatal passion shall only be
purchased at the price of my soul. That penalty I am prepared to pay
rather than lose you. I will become obdurate, will turn my heart to
stone, so that it shall no more melt at the tears of this fond, foolish
woman; and I will slay her without remorse. Any other obstacle between
us shall be removed;--be it her mother, her father--your husband! I will
immolate a hundred victims at the altar of our love. I will shrink from
nothing to make you mine for ever. For I would rather share eternal bale
with you, Frances, than immortal bliss with another."

"You almost make me fancy some evil being has obtained possession of
you, William," said the Countess, gazing at him with affright.

"It may be that the Fiend himself hath accepted my wild offer," he
rejoined gloomily; "but if my wish be granted it matters not."

"I will not listen to such fearful impiety," said the Countess,
shuddering. "Let us dismiss this subject for the present, and recur to
it when you are calmer."

"It cannot be postponed, Frances. Time presses, and even now Lady Lake
may have got the start of us. I shall be calm enough when this is over.
Will you consent to see Luke Hatton?"

"Why need I see him?" inquired the Countess with increasing uneasiness.
"Why will you force his hateful presence upon me? If the deed must be
done, why can you not alone undertake it?"

"I will tell why I cannot," he replied in a sombre tone, and regarding
her fixedly. "I must have a partner in the crime. It will bind us to
each other in links not to be severed. I shall have no fear of losing
you then, Countess. I go to bring Luke Hatton to you."

And without waiting for her reply he strode out of the room. Lady Exeter
would have arrested him, but she had not the nerve to do so, and with an
exclamation of anguish she fell back in her chair.

"What dominion sin has usurped over me!" she mentally ejaculated. "I
have lost the power of resisting its further encroachment. I see the
enormity of the offence I am about to commit, and though