BETTY PAYS HER DEBTS Betty Dene was not a woman afflicted with fears or apprehensions.

Born of good parents, but in poverty, for six-and-twenty years she had fought her own way in a rough world and made the best of circumstances.
Healthy, full-blooded, tough, affectionate, romantic, but honest in her way, she was well fitted to meet the ups and downs of life, to keep her head above the waters of a turbulent age, and to pay back as much as she received from man or woman.
Yet those long hours which she passed alone in the high turret chamber, waiting till they summoned her to play the part of a false bride, were the worst that she had ever spent.

She knew that her position was, in a sense, shameful, and like to end in tragedy, and, now that she faced it in cold blood, began to wonder why she had chosen so to do.

She had fallen in love with the Spaniard almost at first sight, though it is true that something like this had happened to her before with other men.
Then he had played his part with her, till, quite deceived, she gave all her heart to him in good earnest, believing in her infatuation that, notwithstanding the difference of their place and rank, he desired to make her his wife for her own sake.
Afterwards came that bitter day of disillusion when she learned, as Inez had said to Castell, that she was but a stalking heifer used for the taking of the white swan, her cousin and mistress--that day when she had been beguiled by the letter which was still hid in her garments, and for her pains heard herself called a fool to her face.

In her heart she had sworn to be avenged upon Morella then, and now the hour had come in which to fulfil her oath and play him back trick for cruel trick.
Did she still love the man?
She could not say.