Anger, scorn, hatred, and all the violent emotions which were struggling in Gabriel's heart left no room for generosity. There was no quarter for such a foe. In an instant he was upon him, with his sword at his breast.
There was not one of those who were present at the scene, inflamed as they were with indignation so lately aroused, who would have cared to stay the avenging hand.
But Diane de Castro while the fight was in progress had had time to recover from her swoon.
As she raised her heavy eyelids she saw and understood all, and rushed between Gabriel and Lord Wentworth.
Love Disdained.
By an extraordinary coincidence, the last word she had uttered as she fainted was the first upon her lips when she regained consciousness.
"Mercy!"
She prayed for mercy for the very man to whom she had herself prayed in vain.