The king gives the princesses the right to follow their own hearts; and their claim to the succession is not to suffer thereby, if the husband chosen is neither a king nor a prince.

That, my lord, is the contents of this parchment which you are to carry to the princess, and without doubt you will thank me for making you the messenger of these glad tidings." "And why," asked he, in astonishment--"why does your majesty believe that this intelligence should fill me with special thankfulness ?" She collected all her powers; she prayed to her own heart for strength and self-control.
"Because the princess has made me the confidante of her love, and because I am consequently aware of the tender tie which binds you to her," said she, gently; and she felt that all the blood had fled from her cheeks.
The earl looked into her face in mute astonishment.

Then his inquiring and searching glance swept all around the room.
"We are overheard, then ?" asked he, in a low voice.
"We are not alone ?" "We are alone," said Catharine, aloud.

"Nobody can hear us, and God alone is witness of our conversation." Elizabeth, who stood behind the hanging, felt her cheeks glow with shame, and she began to repent what she had done.

But she was nevertheless, as it were, spellbound to that spot.