The Count was about to leave the drawing-room, when a servant entered, bearing a letter on a silver salver.

De Mussidan tore it open; it was from M.de Breulh-Faverlay, asking to be released from his engagement to Sabine de Mussidan.

This last stroke was almost too much for the Count's nerves, for in this act he saw the hand of the man who had come to him with such deadly threats, and terror filled his soul as he thought of the far-stretching arm of him whose bondslave he found himself to be; but before he could collect his thoughts, his daughter's maid went into the room crying with all her might, "Help, help; my poor mistress is dying!".