"Doubtless I shall, brother. See how calm I am!" "Ah, but is your tranquillity real or assumed?" "Feeble and exhausted, can you imagine it possible for me to feign?" "You can now understand the difficulty I felt in breaking this news to you?" "Nay, I marvel at it, knowing as you did the extent of my ambition. Where is the prince?" "He is here." "I would fain see and speak with him before the ceremony." Then, with affected indifference, she added, "And my daughter is also here, as a matter of course?" "She is not here at present; you will see her by and by." "True, there is no hurry; but send for the prince, I entreat of you." "Sister, I know not why, but your manner alarms me, and there is a strangeness in your very looks as well as words!" And Seyton spoke truly. The very absence of all emotion in Sarah inspired him with a vague and indefinable uneasiness; he even fancied he saw her eyes filled with tears she hastily repressed. But unable to account for his own suspicions, he at once quitted the chamber. "Now, then," said Sarah, "if I may but see and embrace my daughter, I shall be satisfied. I fear there will be considerable difficulty in obtaining that happiness; Rodolph will refuse me, as a punishment for the past. But I must and will accomplish my longing desire! Oh, yes! I cannot--will not be denied! But the prince comes!" Rodolph entered, and carefully closed the door after him. Addressing Sarah in a cold, constrained manner, he said: "I presume your brother has told you all?" "He has!" "And your ambition is satisfied." "Quite--quite satisfied?" "Every needful preparation for our marriage has been made; the minister and attesting witnesses are in the next room." "I know it." "They may enter, may they not, madame?" "One word, my lord. I wish to see my daughter." "That is impossible!" "I repeat, my lord, that I earnestly desire to see my child." "She is but just recovering from a severe illness, and she has undergone one violent shock to-day; the interview you ask might be fatal to her." "Nay, my lord, she may be permitted to embrace her mother without danger to herself." "Why should she run the risk? You are now a sovereign princess!" "Not yet, my lord; nor do I intend to be until I have embraced my daughter!" Rodolph gazed on the countess with unfeigned astonishment. "Is it possible," cried he, "that you can bring yourself to defer the gratification of your pride and ambition?" "Till I have indulged the greater gratification of a mother's feelings. Does that surprise you, my lord?" "It does indeed!" "And shall I see my daughter?" "I repeat--"