"But to these soft memories are joined others of terrible import. Do you forget the fatal termination of your love? The conduct of the prince's father toward you? Your obstinate silence when Rudolph, after your marriage with Earl M'Gregor, demanded your child, then quite an infant? your daughter, of whose death, ten years before, you informed him in a cold letter? Do you forget that since that time the prince has only felt for you contempt--hatred?" "Pity has taken the place of hatred. Since he has known that I was in a dying state, each day has he sent Baron de Graun to make inquiries." "From humanity." "Just now he answered my note; said that he would come here. This concession is immense, my brother." "He believes you dying. He supposes that he is coming to take a last farewell. You were wrong not to write to him what you are now about to disclose." [Illustration: THE LITTLE MENDICANT] "I know why I act thus. This revelation will fill him with surprise and joy, and I shall be present to profit by his first burst of tenderness. To-day, or never, he shall say to me, 'A marriage would make the birth of our child legitimate.' If he says so, his word is sacred, and the hope of all my life will at length be realized." "If he makes you this promise--yes." At this moment was heard the noise of a carriage, which entered the court-yard. "It is he--it is Rudolph!" cried Sarah. "Yes, it is the prince, he is getting out of the carriage." "Leave me alone--this is the decisive moment," said Sarah, with immovable self-control; for a towering ambition and unbounded selfishness had always been and still were the ruling motives of this woman. After a momentary hesitation, Thomas Seyton drew near to his sister and said, "It is I who will inform the prince how your daughter has been saved; this interview will be too dangerous for you; a violent emotion would kill you." "Your hand, my brother," said Sarah. Then, placing on her impassable heart the hand of Seyton, she added, with a forced and icy smile, "Am I agitated?" "No, in truth, not at all," said Seyton, with surprise; "I know what command you have over yourself. But at such a moment--where for you will be decided--a crown--or death--your calmness absolutely confounds me." "Why this astonishment, my brother? did you not know that nothing--no, nothing has ever caused this marble heart to quicken its pulsations? It will only palpitate when I shall feel placed on my brow the sovereign crown. I hear Rudolph--leave me." "But--" "Leave me!" cried Sarah, in a tone so imperious, so resolute, that her brother left the apartment some moments before the prince was introduced. When Rudolph entered the saloon, his countenance expressed pity; but seeing the countess seated in the chair decked with her jewels, he drew back with surprise, and his physiognomy became immediately somber and suspicious.