"I would be speaking to you alone for a minute, Bantighearna."
"Alan, go to the alcove yonder, please. I must hear in private what Yann has to say to me."
As soon as the young man was out of hearing, Yann stooped and spoke in low tones. The Marquise Lois grew whiter and whiter, till not a vestige of color remained in her face, and the only sign of life was in the eyes. Suddenly she made an exclamation.
Alan turned and looked at her. He caught her agonized whisper: "Oh, my God!"
"What is it—oh, what is it, dear Aunt Lois?" he cried, as he advanced to her side.
He expected to be waved back, but to his surprise the Marquise made no sign to him to withdraw. Instead, she whispered some instructions to Yann and then bade him go.
When they were alone once more, she took a small silver flagon from beneath her coverlet and poured a few drops upon some sugar.
Having taken this, she seemed to breathe more easily. It was evident, at the same time, that she had received some terrible shock.
"Alan, come closer. I cannot speak loud. I have no time to say more to you about Annaik. I must leave that to you and to her. But lest I die, let me say at once that I forbid you to marry Ynys, and that I enjoin you to marry Annaik, and that without delay."