"Adeline--if you are indeed in full possession of your senses--explain what you would say. I do not understand."
"It is easy enough to be understood," she replied, leaning against the side of the large window for support. "On Saturday, their fixed wedding-day, I shall marry him."
"Oh, this is shameful! this is dreadful!" he exclaimed. "How can they have tampered with you like this?"
"They have not tampered with me, Frederick. I decide of my own will."
"It is disgraceful! disgraceful!" he uttered. "Where is Signor de Castella? I will tell him what I think of his conduct. He talk of honour!"
She placed her hand upon his arm to detain him, for he was turning from the room. "He can tell you nothing," she said. "He does not yet know my decision. Do not blame him."
"He said last night that you should be free to choose," impatiently returned Mr. St. John.
"And I am free. He--laid"--(she hardly knew how to frame her words and yet respect her oath)--"he laid the case fully before me, and left me to decide for myself. Had I chosen you, he said my Aunt Agnes should accompany us today to England, and see me married. But--I--dared not--I"--(she burst into a flood of most distressing tears)--"I must marry de la Chasse."
"Explain, explain." He was getting hot and angry.
"I have nothing to explain. Only that my father left it to me, and that I must marry him: and that my heart will break."