"Is this all?" he asked.
"Why did you not tell her?" said Hugh.
"Because I had sworn to tell no one. You will read that secret, as you have read the other."
Hugh smiled.
"Say, rather, because you dare not do so; because, had you told her, she had never become your wife."
Paul laughed vacantly.
"We shall see. My own lips are sealed, but yours are free. You shall tarnish the memory of our father and blacken the honor of our mother. You shall humble me, and rob me of my wife's love—if you will and can."
Saying this, Paul stepped hastily to the door, flung it open, and cried: "Greta! Greta!"
Hugh followed him and caught him arm.
"What are you doing?" he said, in a hoarse whisper; "be quiet, I tell you—be quiet."