example thus set was accepted, for each one submitted, and when Mark
looked round on the large band of armed men, by whom they were
surrounded, he perceived the wisdom of Ravonino's advice, and how
hopeless would have been any attempt on the part of himself and his
friends to break through and escape.

Silently, and without a word of explanation, the officer in command led
his captives into the town. They were too much overwhelmed by their
calamitous circumstances to pay much attention to anything, yet they
could not help observing that greater crowds of people than usual were
hurrying through the streets, and that every one wore, more or less, an
air of excitement.

Our friends had expected to be cast into their old prison, but they were
led straight to the palace, where they were handed over to the officer
on duty. In spite of the depression of his spirits, the Secretary could
not resist his feelings of curiosity, and asked what all the stir meant,
but he received no answer.

The prisoners were now conducted into a large room, where they found
Prince Rakota standing, surrounded by a crowd of people--male and
female. Beside the Prince was his cousin, Ramonja. Ravonino and
Laihova observed--with a gush of feeling which may be understood but not
described--that Rafaravavy and Ra-Ruth were among the ladies. Poor
Reni-Mamba was also there, her mild face showing unmistakable traces of
the suffering caused by the loss of her only son.

"Welcome, my friends," said Rakota, hastening forward to receive the
prisoners. "You are now safe and free!"

"Safe? free?" repeated the Secretary, in surprise.

"Yes. Have they not told you the news?" he asked, while an expression,
as of pain, passed over his face, "my mother--the Queen--is dead! But
come," he added quickly, as if he wished to avoid the subject, "I wish
to consult with you, for serious dangers threaten us. Come."

He left the room quickly, followed by the Secretary, while Ravonino and
Laihova were drinking in the news from the respective lips that pleased
them best. The facts were soon communicated to all the party.

The Queen, they said, who had been declining in health for a
considerable time past, had latterly become much worse. No doubt her
failure to stamp out Christianity must have aggravated her complaint,
for the effect of her extreme severity was rather to advance than hinder
the good cause. The persecutions--the banishments--the murders--of
twe