"Thank God," he then said, "that the object of your murderous hate was saved by my hand, or my hand would have slain you without mercy. Try," he said after a short silence, during which, panting, and with anguish in her eyes, she had hung on his lips, "try to gain heaven's forgiveness, use the gifts nature has given you, and which you have hitherto misused in sin, in the holy service of God and his Church. You shall serve me as a tool; and for the sake of the cause to which you shall be dedicated, perhaps it may be possible for you to gain forgiveness of the past." She looked at him enquiringly; life and hope returned to her face. "I demand no promises from you, I shall see what you do, and whether your obedience stands the test,--remember that even when I am far away, my eyes will be upon you, that my hand can always reach you, and that vengeance will fall upon your head if you deviate one hair's breadth from the path which I lay down for you. I shall free you from every chain that fetters you here, you shall be free in my service, to use your powers under my direction; but once more: Take heed not to follow your own way, it will lead you to hopeless destruction." She rose slowly and stood before him, with downcast eyes, her hands crossed upon her breast; it was hard to say what was in her mind, but her features expressed only deep humility and submission. The count looked at her for a moment in silence. "I have spoken," he said; "I shall not warn, but punish, if my words are forgotten." She bent her head in silence. Then the solemn earnestness vanished from his face, and his features resumed their usual easy repose. "Is Herr Balzer at home?" he asked. "I think so," she replied in a low voice; "he asked to see me a short time ago." "I wish to speak to him," said the count. She bowed in silence and left the room. "What a scene!" cried the young abbé, shuddering, "and what a dreadful woman!" The count looked thoughtfully before him. "Do you believe," asked the abbé, "that she will heed your warning? that she will repent and amend?" "I do not know," said the count calmly, "we must hope her heart may at last be opened to grace, in that case she would be an instrument of priceless worth." "What are your views?" asked the young priest with surprise. The count slowly placed himself in an arm-chair and signed to the abbé to seat himself beside him. "My young friend," he said in a grave mild voice, "you belong to the Holy League, you are a soldier of the Church militant, you have genius, courage, and faith; you are called to labour with me in the erection of God's kingdom upon earth, to build up the temple of promise, upon the rock of St. Peter; I tell you a great battle, a great work, is before you, a work upon a new foundation." He was silent--lost in thought.