"Guard the doors," cried the Officer, "and let no one quit the place." And giving his partizan to one of the soldiers, he advanced towards the high Gothic arch, forming the boundary between the main aisle and the Chapel of St. Catherine. Pauline clung to De Blenau. "Oh, Claude!" cried she, "they are going to tear you from me again. My heart misgave me.--I was sure that something dreadful would interpose between us." De Blenau whispered a few words of comfort to her, and Potier himself was moved by her agitation. "Do not be afraid, young Lady," said he; "we are on sacred ground.--Stop, sir," he continued, advancing to the steps of the Chapel, which the Officer had just reached: "what seek you here? And how do you presume to bring armed men into this Church?" "I come, sir," answered the Officer, "with a warrant from his Majesty's Council, to arrest Claude Count de Blenau;" and he made a step towards the Chapel. "Hold!" exclaimed the Bishop, "You arrest him not here. This ground is sanctuary; and I command you, in the name of God and our holy religion, to withdraw your men, and instantly to quit this Church." And he waved his hand with an air of dignified authority. The Officer paused. "But, Monseigneur," he replied, "the Count is charged with high treason." "With high treason!" exclaimed the Queen.--"With high treason!" echoed Pauline, clinging still closer to De Blenau's arm, which she held encircled by both her own. "He is charged with high treason," repeated the Officer; "and I must fulfil my duty." "Were he charged with all the crimes which disgrace humanity," replied the Bishop, "here he is sanctuarized; and I command you, on pain of excommunication--you, Sir Officer, and your soldiers, to quit the church. I stand not here to see this altar violated, whatever be your authority." The Officer paused a moment, uncertain how to act. "Well, holy Father," replied he at length, "I obey; but I shall take especial care to guard every door of the church; so that if there be any blame, it does not fall on me." And muttering between his teeth the discontent he did not dare to vent aloud, he slowly withdrew his men. The eye of Anne of Austria watched them intently till the last soldier had passed through the door which communicated with the Palace. Then turning quickly to the Count, she exclaimed, "Fly quick, De Blenau, up that staircase, cross the _jube_, through the monks' gallery round the choir. You will find a door on the right that leads into the King's cabinet. Wait there till I send--Quick, fly--I desire--I command you." "Oh fly, Claude, fly!" reiterated Pauline, "they will murder you surely this time, if you do not fly."