130 THERESA ABRUZZI. 



•'* My lady countess, we looked not for your presence," cried 

 the count peevishly ; " and for jesting, it were ill-timed on this 

 occasion. I speak with strong regret, but from a sense of duty 

 which must be controlled. When I promised my daughter to 

 you in marriage, marquis, I pledged her to one of nobility illus- 

 trious as my own, and of wealth equal, if not superior. Prove 

 to me that you are still the same, and Theresa is yours." 



" This is but mockery," cried Marco; "you know too well, 

 count, the ruin that impends over the house of Petroni : yet 

 promises, my lord, are, or should be, sacred." 



"The honour of our house demands it," interrupted the 

 countess. 



" Peace, peace, my lady ! " cried the count; *' you are too hot. 

 What promise have I broken? all engagements of this nature are 

 conditional ; and on one condition I am yet willing to fulfil 

 mine." 



"And what condition is there," exclaimed Marco, " that count 

 Abruzzi can ask and I deny ? " 



The count seemed confused, but the swift-spreading shadow 

 aided him as he proceeded : " I am not to learn that there are 

 claims on the Petroni property which would absorb perhaps the 

 whole ; nor am I to be informed that it is at your option to admit 

 or reject them. Shake off these incumbrances.'* 



" And shall I do so, count ? " exclaimed Marco, his eyes light- 

 ening with indignation and scorn ; " and would you take to your 

 arms a son who had renounced the duty, the reverence, the affec- 

 tion of a child ; one whom the finger of scorn would pursue as a 

 renegade from all that man holds sacred or woman glorious ? 

 Would you give your daughter, and such a daughter, to one 

 whose wealth was purchased by infamy, whom the never-dying 

 voice of an outraged parent would haunt in his halls of pride, 

 aye, even in the arms of love ? Oh Theresa ! why am I compelled 

 to this ?" 



" It is enough," said the count ; " our contract is dissolved." 



" Dissolved ?" repeated Marco, in a voice of thunder; *' then 

 is there no faith in man ! " 



" Remember ! " exclaimed Theresa faintly. 



" I do remember," continued her lover, " that unhallowed 

 night, when, over the grave of him whose memory is dishonoured 

 even by this parley, you, count, swore to give me your daughter 

 — Nay, nay, hear me out, I was then rich, it matters not for 

 words — I was esteemed so, I was the honored, the illustrious. 



