He had called upon von Rosen with his latest breath; ah! who would call on Seraphina?
She had killed him.

She, whose irresolute hand could scarce prick blood from her own bosom, had found strength to cast down that great colossus at a blow.
All this while the knocking was growing more uproarious and more unlike the staid career of life in such a palace.

Scandal was at the door, with what a fatal following she dreaded to conceive; and at the same time among the voices that now began to summon her by name, she recognised the Chancellor's.

He or another, somebody must be the first.
'Is Herr von Greisengesang without ?' she called.
'Your Highness--yes!' the old gentleman answered.

'We have heard cries, a fall.