“Where? You, sir, have placed it before me.”

“In what shape?”

“In the shape of Miss Ingram; a noble and beautiful woman⁠—your bride.”

“My bride! What bride? I have no bride!”

“But you will have.”

“Yes;⁠—I will!⁠—I will!” He set his teeth.

“Then I must go:⁠—you have said it yourself.”

“No: you must stay! I swear it⁠—and the oath shall be kept.”