At the sight of those pallid features, as cold and motionless as marble, the hollow, black-ringed eyes, from which all the life and fire had fled, a murmur of compassion made itself heard in the princess's circle. Claire did not seem to notice it. Lenet, deeply moved, walked forward to meet her, and timidly put out his hand. But Claire, without accepting it, walked past him toward Madame de Condé, whom she saluted with noble dignity. She walked the whole length of the apartment with firm step, although she was so pale that she thought every moment that she would fall. The princess, herself intensely excited and deathly pale, watched Claire's approach with a feeling resembling terror; nor had she the strength to conceal the feeling, which was plainly depicted on her face. "Madame," said the viscountess in a grave voice, "I have requested this audience which your Highness is pleased to grant me, in order to ask you, in the face of all, if you have been content with my fidelity and devotion since I have had the honor to serve you." The princess put her handkerchief to her lips, and faltered:-- "Most assuredly, my dear viscountess, I have had reason to praise your conduct on all occasions, and I have expressed my gratitude to you more than once." "That statement is very precious to me, madame, for it permits me to solicit your Highness to relieve me from further attendance upon you." "What!" cried the princess, "you wish to leave me, Claire?" Claire bowed respectfully, but made no reply. Shame, remorse, or sorrow could be detected upon every face. A deathlike silence pervaded the assembly. "But why do you leave me?" continued the princess at last. "I have but a few days to live, madame," replied the viscountess, "and those few days I desire to pass in caring for the welfare of my soul." "Claire, dear Claire!" cried the princess, "pray reflect--" "Madame," the viscountess interrupted, "I have two favors to ask at your hands; may I hope that you will grant them?" "Oh! speak, speak!" cried Madame de Condé, "for I shall be only too happy if I can do aught for you." "You can, madame." "What are the favors you wish to ask me?" "The first is the gift of the abbacy of Sainte-Radegonde, vacant since the death of Madame de Montivy." "You an abbess, my dear child! surely you cannot think of it!" "The second, madame," continued Claire, with a slight trembling in her voice, "is that I may be permitted to inter on my estate at Cambes the body of my _fiancé,_ Monsieur le Baron Raoul de Canolles, murdered by the the people of Bordeaux." The princess turned away and pressed a trembling hand to her heart. The Duc de La Rochefoucauld turned pale and lost countenance. Lenet opened the door and fled incontinently. "Your Highness does not deign to reply," said Claire; "do you refuse? Perhaps I have asked too much." Madame de Condé had only enough strength to nod her head in token of assent, before she fell back in a swoon upon her chair.