It was so still--so late! "Leave me! leave me!" she whispered. "Wait, I
must ask Gottfried."
"And do you believe he will know better than yourself whether you love
me?"
He laid his arm round her--his kiss hovered over her lips--when--the
door was torn open, and, with drawn dagger and face distorted with
rage, Gottfried rushed upon De Lancy. "Cowardly traitor!" he yelled,
and stopped, for Blanche, uttering a hoarse shriek of anguish,
stretched out her arms before the beloved man to protect him.
Woe! woe! in this moment the enchanted ring slipped from her finger!