And that seems to comfort her. I wish it would comfort me. The Council is holding its sitting: and so serious are its deliberations considered, that only one woman beside Lady Sybil herself is permitted to attend it. Of course it was not meet she should be without any lady or damsel. But she chose Lady Judith, with a pretty little apology to me, lest I should fancy myself slighted. "Lady Judith is old and very wise," she said. "I should like her to hear the deliberations of the nobles, that I may have, if need be, the benefit of her counsel afterwards." I suppose it is the swearing of allegiance that takes such a long time. They have been four hours already. Sir God, have mercy upon me! I never dreamed of the anguish that was in store for me. I do not know how to bear it. O fair Father, Jesu Christ, by the memory of Thine own cross and passion, help me, if it be only to live through it! I wondered why, when the Council broke up, Lady Sybil shut herself up and refused to admit any one, and Guy was nowhere to be found. I felt a vague sort of uneasiness, but no more, till a soft hand was laid upon my shoulder, and I looked up in Lady Judith’s face. And then, in an instant, the vague uneasiness changed to acute terror. Her look was one of such deep, overwhelming compassion, that I knew at once she had that to tell me which she justly feared might break my heart. "What—?" I gasped. "Come here with me," she said; and she took me into her own cell, and barred the door. "Helena, dear child, there is something to tell thee which thou wilt find very bitter, and thy brother and Sybil think best that I should tell it." "Go on, if you please, holy Mother. Any thing but suspense!" "The Council of nobles," she said, "are agreed to admit Sybil’s right, and to pay their homage to her as Queen, if she on her part will accept one condition dictated by them. But if she refuse the condition, they refuse the allegiance; and will raise against her the banner of Isabel, who was called into the Council, and declared herself ready to accept it." "And—the condition?" "That she shall divorce Count Guy, and wed with one of themselves." It seemed to me as though my head went round, but my heart stood still. And then a cry broke from me, which was a mixture of fear, and indignation, and disdain, and cruel, cruel anguish. Sybil to divorce Guy! Our sweet-eyed, silver-voiced Sybil, whom we so loved, to divorce my Guy, my king of men! To be willing to do it!—to purchase her fair, proud inheritance at the price of the heart which loved her, and which she loved! My heart and brain alike cried out, Impossible! Was I dreaming? This thing could not be,—should not be! Holy Saints, let me wake and know it! "It is not possible!" I shrieked. "She will not—she cannot! Did she not say so?" "Her first words," said Lady Judith, "were utterly and indignantly to refuse compliance." "Well!—and then?"