CHAPTER VII.
GRIEF AT GEROME'S ABSENCE--TURCHI'S HYPOCRISY.
Mary Van De Werve was in her own apartment, kneeling before a silver crucifix; she seemed bowed down by a weight of woe.

Her head rested upon her clasped hands.

She had been weeping bitterly; for there were traces of tears upon the _prie-Dieu_.
Had a stranger surprised the young girl in this attitude, he might have thought that sleep had overpowered her during prayer; but the gasping breath and heaving chest sufficiently attested that she had not sunk in sleep, but that she was plunged in an expressible sorrow.
Behind her was seated an old woman, her duenna, with a rosary in her hand.
She gazed upon the young girl with deep compassion; from time to time she shook her head, and wiped away the tears which dimmed her eyes whenever Mary's sighs became heavier.
For some time the silence was unbroken; Mary even appeared somewhat calmer, when suddenly, influenced by some peculiarly painful thought, she extended her arms to heaven and cried out; "My God and my Saviour! through thy precious blood spare his life! Have mercy on him! reject not the prayer of my broken heart!" Again her head fell on her hands, as if this burning petition had exhausted her strength.

The duenna approached her, took her arm, endeavored to lift her, and said, authoritatively: "My lady, you must rise and cease your prayer.

God may be displeased with you for thus deliberately endangering your health.