In another moment that steel would have pierced his heart.

But Betty had seen also, and, thrusting her strong arms about Margaret, held her back, crying: "Listen, you do not understand.

It is I he wants--not you; I whom he loves, and who love him, and am about to marry him.

You he will send back home." "Loose me," said Margaret, in such a voice that Betty's arms fell from her, and she stood there, the dagger still in her hand.

"Now," she said to d'Aguilar, "the truth, and be swift with it.