Unwilling that Louise should perceive the extent of his apprehensions as regarded the agitated state of the lapidary, and how much alarm he felt at his wild, incoherent language, Rodolph gravely replied:
“You are unjust, Morel; it was not for herself alone, but for her aged and afflicted parent, her children, and you, that your poor wife dreaded the consequences of Louise’s quitting the notary’s house. Accuse no one; but let all your just anger, your bitter curses, fall on the head that alone deserves it,—on that hypocritical monster who offered a weak and helpless girl the alternative of infamy or ruin; perhaps destruction; perhaps death to those she most tenderly loved,—on the fiend who could thus abuse the power he held, thus prey upon the tenderest, holiest feelings of a loving daught
