And they did bear him to his pavilion, decked as it was for revelry and feasting; and they laid him there, ghastly, and gashed, and gory, upon the festive board, and his blood streamed among the choice wines, and the scent of death chilled the rich fragrance of the flowers! An hour, and he was dead who had invited others to triumph over his cousin’s slaughter; an hour, and the court-lackeys shamefully spoiled and plundered the repast which had been spread for nobles! “And now,” continued Henry, taking the hand of Marguerite, “here is the victor’s prize! Wilt have him, Marguerite?--’fore Heaven, but he has won thee nobly! Wilt have her, De La-Hirè?--methinks her tears and beauty may yet atone for fickleness produced by treasons such as his who now shall never more betray, nor lie, nor sin, for ever!--” “Sire,” replied De La-Hirè, very firmly, “I pardon her; I love her yet!--but I wed not dishonor!” “He is right,” said the pale girl, “he is right, ever right and noble; for what have such as I to do with wedlock? Fare thee well, Charles--dear, honored Charles! The mists of this world are clearing away from mine eyes, and I see now that I loved thee best--thee only! Fare thee well, noble one! forget the wretch who has so deeply wronged thee--forget me, and be happy. For me, I shall right soon be free!” “Not so, not so,” replied King Henry, misunderstanding her meaning; “not so, for I have sworn it, and though I may pity thee, I may not be forsworn. To-morrow thou must to a convent, there to abide for ever!” “And that will not be long,” answered the girl, a gleam of her old pride and impetuosity lighting up her fair features. “By Heaven, I say for ever!” cried Henry, stamping his foot on the ground angrily. “And I reply, not long!” CHAPTER III.