She neither shrunk from it, nor paled; but bending over him, murmured in a tone, that from its startling indication of her unexpected presence, readied the ear of all--"His poor, _poor_ Marie!" The effect was electric.

Until that moment horror and indignation had been the predominant feeling; but with those words came the thought of his young, his beautiful, his treasured wife--the utter, utter desolation which that fearful death would bring to her; the contrast between her present position, and that in which they had so lately beheld her; and there was scarcely a manly spirit there, that did not feel unwonted moisture gather in his eyes, or his heart swell with an emotion never felt before.
"Now blessings on thy true woman's heart, my Isabel!" exclaimed the King, tenderly drawing her from the couch of the dead.

"I dare vouch not one of us, mourning the noble dead, has, till now, cast a thought upon the living.

And who shall breathe these fearful tidings?
Who prepare the unfortunate Marie for the loss awaiting her, and yet tarry to behold and soothe her anguish ?" "That will I do," replied the Queen, instantly.

"None else will prepare her so gently, so kindly; for none knew her husband's worth so well, or can mourn his loss more deeply.