Mademoiselle de Beaumont spoke not, but she raised her eyes to De Blenau with an expression which told that every feeling of her heart was given to him. The Marchioness, however, interposed. "No!" said she: "Claude, you are right; it is better to wait. The time will come, I feel sure, when you will be able to claim Pauline in the midst of smiles and happiness, instead of tears and danger. Does not your Majesty think this delay advisable?" "My opinion has been expressed already," replied Anne of Austria peevishly. "But it is not my affair--act as you think fit. But were I Pauline, and my lover gave me up so calmly, I would seek another in his absence to console me." De Blenau, deeply hurt, bit his lip, and by a strong effort forced himself to silence: but Pauline placed her hand in his, and raising her eyes to his face: "Fear not, Claude," she said; "in life and in death, I am yours. None other shall ever possess the hand of Pauline de Beaumont." "You are a noble girl, Pauline," exclaimed the Queen. "De Blenau, I was wrong; but it vexes me to see that you will always be more in the right than I am. Do not look so sad, Pauline. The more I think of it, the more I feel sure that De Blenau's innocence will stand him in good stead yet, in spite of the meager Cardinal: and I begin to reckon also somewhat on my own influence with Louis; he is far kinder than in former days; and I will make it a point of earnest prayer, that De Blenau be fairly used. Besides, they have now no plea against him. There are no secret letters to be discovered--no correspondence with the public enemy." Pauline shook her head mournfully. A cloud had come over the sun of her days, and she fancied that he would never beam brightly again. "If we could ascertain the reason of this arrest," said Madame de Beaumont, "it might in some degree satisfy our minds." "That may be easily done," replied the Bishop, "as Monsieur de Blenau is resolved to surrender himself. We can question the Officer, in regard to what occurred at the place from whence he comes; and by that means discover what circumstances have arisen to cast suspicion on the Count." What the Bishop proposed was instantly agreed to; and De Blenau sent forward his Page to inform the Officer of his determination. Anne of Austria then took a few steps along the nave, and turned to see if he still held his resolution. De Blenau bowed. "I follow your Majesty," he said "I feel that I have nothing to fear." And they passed on slowly and sadly to the other end of the church. As they went, Pauline still clung to the arm of her lover, as if she feared that every moment they would tear him from her; and tear after tear rolled silently down her cheeks. The heart of De Blenau also was too full for words, so that silence hung upon the whole party.