The hitherto placid features of the attorney darkened into a scowl of malignity, as he said,

“Madam, we have been too long subject to your caprice.  Here let it end.  Know that mighty interests depend upon the union this day to be consummated, and we refuse longer to submit to your whims.”

“Yes, Emily, the honor and safety of your family name depend upon your acquiescence in this plan,” said Jaspar, whose passion had moderated a little.

“I will never countenance any of your unhallowed plots,” replied Emily, and she again moved towards the door.

“You leave not the room till you consent to this union,” interposed De Guy.

“Stand from my path, or I will summon assistance!”

“Your summons would be in vain.”

With a proud step and a curling lip, Emily attempted to advance; but De Guy seized her by the arm, and restrained her.  She struggled to free herself from the villain’s grasp, without success.  Knowing that Vernon was within hearing of her, she called “Jerome,” at the top of her voice.

“No use, madam.  The gentleman whose name you utter is a friend of mine,” said the attorney.  “He conveyed you here as an emissary of mine.  Haven’t you known him before?” said De Guy, with a mixture of sarcasm and triumph in the tones of his squeaky voice.

The door-handle was at this moment seized on the outside.  The door was wrenched and pushed, but it did not yield, for De Guy had taken the precaution to lock it.

“Who is there?” shouted the attorney, alarmed at the intrusion.

“Open,” said Jerome, “or I force the door!”

“What does this mean?” asked Jaspar, who had remained a quiet spectator to the violence offered his niece.

“I will soon ascertain,” said De Guy, dragging Emily after him, towards a large closet on the other side of the room.

“Help! help!” again screamed Emily; and, ere she had the second time uttered the word, a crash was heard, the library-door splintered, and Vernon stood in the room.

“How is this?  Villain! traitor!” shouted De Guy, drawing from his pocket a revolver.

“Unhand the lady!” said Vernon, in a severe tone, as, at the same time, he drew from his pocket a pistol.  “Unhand her!” and he approached the lawyer.

“Back, traitor, or you die!” said De Guy, in a voice which suddenly lost its silky tone, and was firm and round.

“Then I die like a man!” responded Vernon, still advancing.

Jaspar’s ferocious nature, stimulated to activity by the prospect of a fight, now promised to revive his spirits and nerve his arm.  He advanced behind Vernon, and, ere he was aware, had clasped both hands around him.  Vernon tried to free himself from the bearish hug, and they both fell to the floor.  Jaspar still held tight, and the struggle promised to be a severe one.