scribes were at work to make copies of it in the course of the night.
These would be sent to the Senators next morning, posted up in the
market-place and public buildings, and distributed to the people; but he
feared all this would have no effect.

"Then help me to prepare for death," said Paula gloomily. "You are not
a priest of my confession, but no church has a more worthy minister. If
you can absolve me in the name of your Redeemer, mine will pardon me. We
look at Him, it is true, with different eyes, but He is the Saviour of
us both, nevertheless." A contradictory reply struggled for utterance in
the strict Jacobite's mind, but at such a moment he felt he must repress
it; he only answered:

"Speak, daughter, I am listening."

And she poured forth all her soul, as though he had been a priest of her
own creed, and his eyes grew moist as he heard this confession of a
pure and loving heart, yearning for all that was highest and best.
He promised her the mercy of the Redeemer, and when he had ended with
"Amen," and blessed her, he looked down at the ground for some minutes
and presently said, "Follow me, Child."

"Whither?" she asked in surprise; for she thought that her last hour
had already come, and that he was about to lead her away to the place
of execution, or to her watery, ever-flowing tomb; but he smiled as he
replied: "No, child. To-day I have only the pleasing duty of blessing
your betrothal before God; if only you will promise not to estrange your
husband from the faith of his fathers--for what will not a man sacrifice
to win the love of a woman.--You promise? Then I will take you to your
Orion."

He rapped on the door of the cell, and when the warder had opened it
he whispered his orders; Paula followed him silently and with blushing
cheeks, and in a few minutes she was clasped to her lover's breast
while, for the first time--and perhaps the last--their lips met in a
kiss.

The prelate gave them a few minutes together; when he had blessed
them both and solemnized their betrothal, he led her back to her cell.
However, she had hardly time to thank him out of the fulness of her
overflowing heart, when a town-watchman came to fetch him to see
Susannah; her last hour was at hand, if not already past. John at once
went with the messenger, and Paula drew a deep breath as she saw him
depart. Then she threw herself on to her nurse's shoulders, crying:

"Now, come what may! Nothing can divide us; not even dea