"Oh," cried Angela, throwing herself into the duke's arms; "you deceived me; I believed you to be only exiled."
"Be calm, Angela; yet I have hidden this from you, as much that you should not be troubled as—." Then, after a moment's hesitation, Monmouth continued, "you shall know all; it requires much courage to make this revelation."
"Why? What have you to fear?" said Angela.
"Alas! poor child, when you have heard me, perhaps you will regard me with horror!"
"You, James? do you believe that I can ever do that?"
"Well," said Monmouth, "whatever the result, I must speak, at the risk, perhaps, of separating us forever."
"Never, never!" cried Angela despairingly.
"Zounds! I will sooner throw De Chemerant from these cliffs at the least pretense," cried Croustillac. "And, as for that, with your slaves, we could furnish him a fine escort. But I think—will you try this method? How many slaves can you arm, sir?"
"You forget that De Chemerant's escort is considerable; the negro fishermen have gone—there are not more than four or five men here. Violent means are impossible. Providence doubtless wills that I shall expiate a great crime. I will be resigned."
"A crime, James? guilty of a great crime? I will never believe it!" cried Angela.