'Ah,' said he, 'the Countess? Now I perceive the reason of your
Highness's disorder.'
The lackey-like insolence of the words was driven home by a more
insolent manner. There fell upon Seraphina one of those storm-
clouds which had already blackened upon her reason; she heard
herself cry out; and when the cloud dispersed, flung the blood-
stained dagger on the floor, and saw Gondremark reeling back with
open mouth and clapping his hand upon the wound. The next moment,
with oaths that she had never heard, he leaped at her in savage
passion; clutched her as she recoiled; and in the very act, stumbled
and drooped. She had scarce time to fear his murderous onslaught
ere he fell before her feet.
He rose upon one elbow; she still staring upon him, white with
horror.
'Anna!' he cried, 'Anna! Help!'
And then his utterance failed him, and he fell back, to all
appearance dead.
Seraphina ran to and fro in the room; she wrung her hands and cried
aloud; within she was all one uproar of terror, and conscious of no
articulate wish but to awake.
There came a knocking at the door; and she sprang to it and held it,
panting like a beast, and with the strength of madness in her arms,
till she had pushed the bolt. At this success a certain calm fell
upon her reason. She went back and looked upon her victim, the
knocking growing louder. O yes, he was dead.
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