He found Titania on a sofa, and he kissed her hand. This pleased poor Titania; it reminded her of her youth.
"Oh, marquis, I am in despair!" she cried.
"Despair not," said Rivaulx, as he stood up and smote his forehead, "despair not. All is not lost. But for me, I stand between two dreadful alternatives, and I have resolved to do my duty."
There was an air of tragedy about him that covered him like a robe. Titania shivered.
"What is it? What have you to tell me?"
"Ah, what!" cried Rivaulx. "But I shall do it. I shall do it at once, immediately, if not sooner, as your poet says."
"You won't kill any one, at least not here," shrieked Titania.
"Far from it," replied the marquis. "Oh, but it is terrible, for I have to smash, to break an oath. I swore not to reveal what I am about to reveal."
"Good heavens!" said Titania. "Oh, what? Is it—can it be—no—"
"Yes, yes," cried Rivaulx, "it is true; I own it!"