Had he not yet returned?
A sensation of sickness--the deadly sickness of indefinable dread--seemed to stupefy every faculty, as Manuella answered in the negative, adding, it was much beyond his usual hour.
"Send to the castle, and inquire if aught has detained him," she exclaimed; hastily rising as she spoke, and commencing a rapid toilet.
She was scarcely attired before Alberic, with a pale cheek and voice of alarm, brought information that a messenger and litter from the palace were in the court, bringing the Queen's mandate for the instant attendance of Donna Marie.
"Oh! lady, dearest lady, let me go with thee," continued the boy, suddenly clasping her robe and bursting into tears.

"My master--my good, noble master--something horrible has occurred, and they will not tell me what.

Every face I see is full of horror--every voice seems suppressed--every--" "Hush!" angrily interposed Manuella, as she beheld Marie's very lips lose their glowing tint, and her eyes gaze on vacancy.

"For God's sake, still thine impudent tongue; thou'lt kill her with thy rashness." "Kill! who is killed ?" gasped Marie.

"What did he say?
Where is my husband ?" "Detained at the palace, dearest lady," readily answered Manuella.
"This foolish boy is terrified at shadows.