“I do not expect to find peace on this side of the grave,” sighed Mary; “but I will try to follow your Eminence’s counsel.” “In time your wounds will be healed,” rejoined Pole; “and you will then understand why they have been inflicted.” “I humbly resign myself to Heaven’s decrees,” said Mary. “_Fiat voluntas tua._” At this juncture, without being announced, the King entered the cabinet, followed by Count D’Egmont. His Majesty’s features did not wear their customary sombre expression, but were radiant with joy, and his deportment evinced considerable excitement. Advancing quickly towards the Queen, and bowing reverently to the Cardinal, he said,— “Count D’Egmont has just brought me a most important letter from the Emperor, and I lose not a moment in laying its contents before your Majesty.” Then, turning to Pole, who was about to withdraw, he added, “I pray your Eminence not to retire. The matter is one that will interest you. Not to keep you in suspense, I will state at once, and in a word, the purport of the dispatch. The Emperor is about to abdicate, and resign his hereditary dominions to me.” “What do I hear?” exclaimed Mary, in extremity of surprise. “The Emperor about to abdicate!” “’Tis exactly as I have stated, Madam,” cried Philip. “I have it here under his own hand.” “His Imperial Majesty has for some months meditated this step, gracious Madam,” interposed D’Egmont, bowing to the Queen, “but it is only recently that his final resolution has been taken. Of late a profound melancholy has seized upon him, which he finds it impossible to shake off. Tired of pomp and state, sated with glory and conquest, wearied with the cares of government, racked by a cruel disease, which allows him little respite from suffering, his august Majesty is about to put off the purple robe and crown, and, clothing himself in the lowly garb of a monk, to pass the remainder of his days in seclusion. I have been sent by the Emperor to announce his determination to his royal son, into whose hands he designs to relinquish his vast dominions.” “You hear, Madam—you hear what my father intends,” cried Philip, with irrepressible delight. “Yes, I hear it,” rejoined Mary, mournfully. “The solemn ceremony of abdication will take place at Brussels,” pursued D’Egmont, “in the presence of all the nobles and deputies of Flanders, who, at the Emperor’s request, will transfer their allegiance to his son. Subsequently, the sovereignty of Castile and Aragon will be ceded to King Philip.” “And what of the crown of Germany?” demanded Philip. “That will deck the brows of your uncle Ferdinand, King of the Romans,” said D’Egmont. “The Empire of Germany will be resigned in his favour.” “Is such my father’s intent?” said Philip.