"What, my sister! you turn against me?"

"And unless you instantly retire and leave her free, I will unmask you to
the emperor."

"Too late, /mon enfant!/ You will sail with us. The effects you may
need for the voyage are already on board. You will be witness to our
marriage, and by a holy son of the Church. Then tell the emperor what
you will."

With a light and sudden exertion of his strength, the count put away
Beatrice, and fell on his knee before Violante, who, drawn to her full
height, death-like pale, but untrembling, regarded him with unutterable
disdain.

You scorn me now," said he, throwing into his features an expression of
humility and admiration, "and I cannot wonder at it. But, believe me,
that until the scorn yield to a kinder sentiment, I will take no
advantage of the power I have gained over your fate."

"Power!" said Violante, haughtily. "You have ensnared me into this
house, you have gained the power of a day; but the power over my fate,
--no!"

"You mean that your friends have discovered your disappearance, and are
on your track. Fair one, I provide against your friends, and I defy all
the laws and police of England. The vessel that will bear you from these
shores waits in the river hard by. Beatrice, I warn you,--be still,
unhand me. In that vessel will be a priest who shall join our hands, but