the Prince your order, and looked upon his face, my soul was melted

- O, I am frank - here, within my arms, I offered him repose!' She

advanced a step superbly as she spoke, with outstretched arms; and

Seraphina shrank. 'Do not be alarmed!' the Countess cried; 'I am

not offering that hermitage to you; in all the world there is but

one who wants to, and him you have dismissed! "If it will give her

pleasure I should wear the martyr's crown," he cried, "I will

embrace the thorns." I tell you - I am quite frank - I put the

order in his power and begged him to resist. You, who have betrayed

your husband, may betray me to Gondremark; my Prince would betray no

one. Understand it plainly,' she cried, ''tis of his pure

forbearance that you sit there; he had the power - I gave it him -

to change the parts; and he refused, and went to prison in your

place.'

The Princess spoke with some distress. 'Your violence shocks me and

pains me,' she began, 'but I cannot be angry with what at least does

honour to the mistaken kindness of your heart: it was right for me

to know this. I will condescend to tell you. It was with deep

regret that I was driven to this step. I admire in many ways the

Prince - I admit his amiability. It was our great misfortune, it

was perhaps somewhat of my fault, that we were so unsuited to each

other; but I have a regard, a sincere regard, for all his qualities.

As a private person I should think as you do. It is difficult, I

know, to make allowances for state considerations. I have only with

deep reluctance obeyed the call of a superior duty; and so soon as I

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