Constance sat by her father's bed, her eyes fixed upon him, and her cheek more wan than ever by the pale light of that crude and cheerless dawn.

When Vernon woke, his eyes, glazed with death, rolled faintly towards her, fixing and dimming in their sockets as they gazed;--his throat rattled.

But for one moment his voice found vent; a ray shot across his countenance as he uttered his last words--words that sank at once and eternally to the core of his daughter's heart--words that ruled her life, and sealed her destiny: "Constance, remember--the Oath--Revenge!".