tims.
They were to remain there until the hour of execution.

CHAPTER XV.

THE LAST FAREWELL.

While these events were taking place in the Tribunal, Antoinette de
Mirandol awoke later than usual to find her friend absent; but the
discovery caused her little surprise, for this was not the first time
that Dolores, who was a much earlier riser than herself, had left the
cell without disturbing her slumbers. Antoinette dressed herself with
all possible speed, but it was nearly twelve o'clock before she was
ready to go down to the main hall in search of Dolores. She did not see
her in the hall or in the corridors, and she entered the refectory
certain that her friend was already seated at the table where they had
taken their meals since the increasing coldness of the weather had
driven them from their cell in the daytime. She cast a quick glance
through the dining-hall. The prisoners were chatting gayly over their
meagre fare, as if wishing to console themselves for the plainness of
their food by the cheerfulness and brilliancy of their conversation.
Dolores was not there.

The discovery brought with it a feeling of vague alarm; not that
Antoinette had any suspicion of the truth, but because she was seized
with a grim presentiment of approaching misfortune. She hastily turned
away and started in pursuit of Philip, hoping to find Dolores with him.
She soon met him, but he was alone.

"Dolores? where is Dolores?" she cried.

"I have not seen her," replied Philip, surprised at the question, and
alarmed by Antoinette's manner.

"My God!" the girl whispered, turning suddenly pale; then, overcome with
an inexplicable terror, she stood silent and motionless.

"What has happened?" cried Philip. "You frighten me."

"A terrible misfortune, I fear," she gasped.

She tottered and would have fallen had not Philip supported her; but she
finally recovered her composure sufficiently to explain the cause of her
alarm. The presentiment which had assailed the girl also assailed him.
Together, they began a frantic search for their missing friend,
exploring every nook and corner of that portion of the prison in which
they were allowed to circulate, and questioning their acquaintances, who
either through compassion or through ignorance gave them no information
concerning Dolores. Suddenly, at a turn in the corridor, they
encountered Aubry.

"What! do you not know?" he asked, stupefied with amazement.

"Know what?" cried Ph