How could he reconcile his conscience to a union with one of a race so abhorred, beautiful as she is?
And where could he have found her?
But this matters not: it is all wild conjecture, save the madness of the avowal.

What cause could there have been for such self-sacrifice ?" "There was a cause," replied the Queen earnestly; "cause enough to render life to her of little moment.

Do not ask me my meaning, dearest Ferdinand; I would not do her such wrong as to breathe the suspicion that, spite of myself, spite of incomprehensible mystery, will come, even to thee.

Do not let us regret her secret is discovered.

Let her but recover from the agony of these repeated trials, and with the help of our holy fathers, we may yet turn her from her abhorred faith, and so render her happy in this world, and secure her salvation in the next." "The help of the holy fathers!" repeated the King.