She was inclined to turn and fly, but her strength failed her, and, extending her hands, she grasped the boughs of a slender birch tree that grew close by, to prevent herself from falling.

The Duke was quite as much astonished as the young lady.

He had expected to see a peasant girl, and here was the daughter of the Marquis de Laurebourg.

But anger soon succeeded to surprise; for though he might have had nothing to fear from the peasant, the daughter of the Marquis de Laurebourg was an utterly different antagonist.

He could not rely upon aid from her family, as, for all he knew, they might be aiding and abetting her.
"Well, my child," began he, "you do not seem very glad to see me." "Your Grace." "Yes, when you come out to meet the son, it is annoying to meet the father; but do not blame poor Norbert, for I assure you he is not in fault." Though Mademoiselle de Laurebourg had been startled at first, she was possessed of too strong a will to give in, and soon recovered her self-possession.
She never thought to screen herself by a denial of her reasons for being on the spot, for such a course she would have looked on as an act of treacherous cowardice.
"You are quite right," answered she.