Consternation reigned within the palace; the King was full of wrath at the insult offered to his power; the Queen even more grieved than angry.

The guards stationed without the chamber had declared on oath that no one had passed them; the Senoras Leon and Pas, who slept in the room adjoining, could tell nothing wherewith to explain the mystery.

In the first paroxsym of alarm they had declared the night had passed as usual; but on cooler reflection they remembered starting from their sleep with the impression of a smothered cry, which having mingled with their dreams, and not being repeated, they had believed mere fancy.

And this faint sound was the only sign, the only trace that her departure was not a voluntary act.
"Father Francis! the arm of the church!" gasped Stanley, as Don Felix paused in his recital, astonished at the effect of his words on the prisoner, whose very respiration seemed impeded.
"Father Francis has solemnly sworn," he replied, "that neither he nor any of his brethren had connived at an act of such especial disrespect to the sovereign power, and of injustice towards the Queen.

Torquemada is still absent, or suspicion night rest on him--he is stern enough even for such a deed; but how could even he have withdrawn her from the castle without discovery ?" "Can she not have departed voluntarily ?" inquired Stanley, with sudden hope.