"True; but considering what that convent contained," said Zabern with a melancholy smile, "we shall act wisely in ignoring this raid upon our territory, especially as the Czar has paid the penalty of his act by losing a splendid regiment. Dorislas, who invested the convent, has just sent this message." Zabern handed the princess a note inscribed with the following words,-- "At noon convent blew up with tremendous explosion. Building and inmates reduced to atoms. Some of our men injured by falling débris, but none killed.--DORISLAS." Barbara's face saddened. "So the monks kept their vow," she murmured, "and fired the powder-magazine, sacrificing their own lives to save us from discovery." "Fortunately your Highness has saved Faustus by inviting him here to crown you, and yet the old abbot is grieving because he has not died with the rest of his brethren." "Though it be harsh to say it," remarked Paul, "the destruction of that monastery is, under the present circumstances, the best thing that could have happened to Czernova. If it could be proved that the principality is the nucleus of Polish conspiracies directed against the Czar's rule, the protecting arm of England will of necessity be withdrawn. This thought troubled me during my interview with Lord Palmerston." "Then we will not abuse the good-will of England," commented the princess. "From henceforth I cease to be a conspirator. My dream of a wider realm is over. I must leave to others the liberation of Poland," she continued with a sigh. "But," she added, knitting her brows, "a conspirator I must be, _nolens volens_; for have I not secretly pledged my written word to assist Kossuth and the Magyars with gold, if not with arms?" "Your Highness, I am happy to state that the treaty is non-existent," remarked Radzivil. "The Hungarian envoy who carried the treaty, while endeavoring to pass the Austrian frontier in the dark, was detected and chased by the sentinels; knowing that it meant death to be caught with the document upon his person, he, seeing his pursuers gaining upon him--" "Destroyed the treaty?" "Effectually, for he _ate_ it." Barbara smiled sadly as she replied, "Kossuth will deem me unjust, but I fear there can be no renewal of the treaty." "Your Highness," said Radzivil, with a significant glance at Paul, "the first act of to-morrow's Diet shall be the repeal of the princely marriage statute." "But," whispered Zabern to Katina, "since no such statute bars our way, why should not old Faustus make us one ere the night come?" Katina blushed and averted her head. But, be it noted, she offered no opposition to the marshal's desire.