You only
fancy that you do. In reality you know nothing of such a love as that. Le
was brought up in the house with you. You have no brother. Le has no
sister. You therefore love each other as brother and sister. By and by you
both may discover--but not for each other--the higher, deeper, stronger
love which unites the husband and the wife in a true marriage--such a love
as I could wish might crown my darling's life with lasting joy--such a
love as you might find in a union with Angus Anglesea, if you would but
give him the opportunity of winning your heart."

"Madam!" exclaimed the girl, starting to her feet, and gathering her black
brows over black eyes that blazed with indignation, "I hate Col. Anglesea!
I hate him and I fear him! And I would rather die this day and never
behold the face of Le again, than listen to Col. Anglesea!"

"Odalite! Odalite, my child! You are talking to your mother. Come to my
heart again, and calm your excitement," said the lady, holding out her
arms.

And the young girl fell weeping upon the bosom of her mother.

The lady allowed some time to pass in which the girl's paroxysm of tears
exhausted itself, and then caressing her gently, she began, in a soothing
tone:

"My precious child, do you doubt your mother's love or truth?"

"Oh, no, no, no! How could you ask such a question of your own child,
mother?" earnestly protested Odalite.

"Do you doubt that duty is to be held above all other considerations?"

"No! Oh, no!"

"Well, then, I have something to tell you, my darling, which will make you
forget all selfish aims, and even also the wishes of your old playmate.
Come with me to your own bedchamber, where we shall be most secure from
interruption. I will tell you of a fatal episode in my own youth, when I
was younger even than you are now. Oh, that I should have to tell such a
tale to my daughter! But, Odalite, when you have heard it you will learn
just what you have to do in order to save us all, and especially to save
your noble, generous, honorable father from ruin and disgrace. And then,
Odalite, when you have learned all, you shall do exactly as you please.
Not one word of coercion, not another word of persuasion, will I utter. I
will leave our fate in your hands, and you shall be absolutely free to
act. Come with me now."

She took her daughter's arm, and they arose from the sofa.

For a moment they stood, quite accidentally, facing a tall mirror, between
two windows on