Among the ladies present was Madame Henrietta, bustling about from place to place like a careful housekeeper. She did not notice that a messenger came rapidly to the general with a letter, nor did she mark that as he read it he started and then looked up at her. Nor did she hear the order he gave to let no female pass from the castle without an order from himself--except, of course, the marriage party. For the marriage was to take place at the neighboring village church. The messenger bowed low and left the room, and still Madame Henrietta was bustling about, busy and cheerful. Turning to his daughter and Arthur, the general said, he should not be able to attend the ceremony. And he was presently in deep conversation with several of his gentlemen. Suddenly he turned to madame. “Lady--a parliamentary order compels me to depart with you for London--have no fear.” Those about her saw Madame Henrietta start and turn pale, but they did not think much of the matter; and, being bidden to the feast, were soon moving from the room. Arthur heard the intimation given by the general, and said, naturally enough, to the colonel, “Is she a friend of the Stuarts?” “She is, I believe, suspected,” replied the discreet colonel, turning away. The young bridegroom looked pityingly at Madame, and she saw that he did so. As the company were leaving the room Arthur came up to the lady, and began talking idly to her, but when the room was empty of all but themselves--when the little bride had flown to her room, and the general had gone to consult with his officers--she said in answer to some question of his, “Cavalier!” Quickly he answered, “You may trust me, lady. Speak, speak.” “May I speak, even if my head is in danger?” “You shudder. Be not afraid. Speak, whoever you are; I will save you. Speak softly, or thou mayest be heard.” “Save me! too late. The fate of Charles will be the fate of his wife.” “The queen, the queen!” the young lord whispered, half in respect, half in fear, and he sank upon his knee. “‘Tis a mockery to kneel to me.” “I swear to save your majesty, or be lost myself.” “My lord, my lord, you speak vainly. Leave me. You cannot save me, and would involve yourself in ruin. Rise, sir, rise!” He immediately obeyed, and stood humbly before her. “Well, my lord?” “I will save your majesty.” She turned hopelessly away, but the next moment she was smiling cheerfully, as Elvira, holding a white lace veil in her hand, came running up to her companion of so many pleasant weeks. “Am I not charming? Am I not as white as snow? Am I not like a lily? Ah, ah! This is my wedding dress; and my hair, Signor Arthur, is perfumed with the roses thou hast brought me; and on my neck are the pearls thou gavest me.” They both praised her and her dress, but the young coquette kept her eyes upon the veil. “Madame Henrietta, dost love me?” “Does a mother love her child?”