This scene was heart-rending; Rudolph opened the folding-doors, and the clergyman entered, followed by the witnesses. All the actors in this sad scene were grave and sad; M. de Lucenay himself had forgotten his habitual frivolity. The contract of marriage between the most illustrious and very puissant prince, His Serene Highness, Gustavus Rudolph V., reigning Grand Duke of Gerolstein, and Sarah Seyton of Halsbury, Countess M'Gregor, had been prepared by the care of Baron de Graun: it was read by him, and signed by the bride and groom and their witnesses. Notwithstanding the repentance of the countess, when the clergyman said, with a solemn voice, to Rudolph, "Does your royal highness consent to take for wife Madame Sarah Seyton of Halsbury, Countess M'Gregor?" and the prince had answered "YES!" with a loud and firm voice, the deathlike countenance of the lady brightened; a rapid and transitory expression of triumphant pride passed over her livid features; it was the last flash of the ambition which died with her. During this sad and imposing ceremony, not a word was uttered by the witnesses. When it was finished, they all came forward, profoundly saluted the prince, and retired. "Brother," said Sarah in a low tone, "beg the clergyman to have the goodness to wait a moment in the adjoining room." "How do you feel now, my sister? you are very pale." "I am sure to live now--am I not the Grand Duchess of Gerolstein?" added she, with a bitter smile. Remaining alone with Rudolph, Sarah murmured, in an exhausted voice, while her features changed in an alarming manner, "My strength is gone. I feel that I am dying--I shall never see her." "Yes, yes, calm yourself, Sarah--you will see her." "I have no more hope--this delay--oh! it needs a strength superhuman. My sight fails already." "Sarah!" said the prince, approaching, and taking her hands within his own, "she will come--now she cannot delay." "God has not willed this last consolation." "Sarah, listen--listen. I hear a carriage--yes--it is she; here is your child!" "Rudolph, you will not tell her that I was a bad mother?" articulated the countess, slowly. The noise of a carriage resounded on the pavement of the court. The countess could not hear it. Her words were more and more incoherent. Rudolph leaned over her with anxiety; he saw her eyes covered with a film. "Pardon--my child--see, my child--pardon--at least--after my death--the honors--of--my--rank----" These were her last intelligible words. The fixed, predominating thought of her whole life returned again, notwithstanding her sincere repentance. At this moment Murphy entered the room. "Your highness, the Princess Marie----" "No," cried Rudolph, quickly, "let her not enter. Tell Seyton to bring the clergyman." Then, pointing to Sarah, who was gradually expiring, Rudolph added, "Heaven refuses her the last consolation of embracing her child." Half an hour afterward, the Countess M'Gregor had ceased to exist. CHAPTER XXIV.