in a more insinuating voice, "in this court
there is a young cavalier who might by virtue of respect, love, and
devotion have made you forget the claims of this foreigner, alike
unworthy to be our king and to be your husband."

The queen heaved a heavy sigh.

"When did you lose your skill to read my heart?" she cried. "Must I
actually tell you that this love is making me wretched? True, at the
very first this unsanctioned love was a keen joy: a new life seemed to
wake within my heart; I was drawn on, fascinated by the prayers, the
tears, and the despair of this man, by the opportunities that his mother
so easily granted, she whom I had always looked upon as my own mother; I
have loved him.... O my God, I am still so young, and my past is so
unhappy. At times strange thoughts come into my mind: I fancy he no
longer loves me, that he never did love me; I fancy he has been led on by
ambition, by self-interest, by some ignoble motive, and has only feigned
a feeling that he has never really felt. I feel myself a coldness I
cannot account for; in his presence I am constrained, I am troubled by
his look, his voice makes me tremble: I fear him; I would sacrifice a
year of my life could I never have listened to him."

These words seemed to touch the young confidante to the very depths of
her soul; a shade of sadness crossed her brow, her eyelids dropped, and
for some time she answered nothing, showing sorrow rather than surprise.
Then, lifting her head gently, she said, with visible embarrassment--

"I should never have dared to pass so severe a judgment upon a man whom
my sovereign lady has raised above other men by casting upon him a look
of kindness; but if Robert of Cabane has deserved the reproach of
inconstancy and ingratitude, if he has perjured himself like a coward, he
must indeed be the basest of all miserable beings, despising a happiness
which other men might have entreated of God the whole time of their life
and paid for through eternity. One man I know, who weeps both night and
day without hope or consolation, consumed by a slow and painful malady,
when one word might yet avail to save him, did it come from the lips of
my noble mistress."

"I will not hear another word," cried Joan, suddenly rising; "there shall
be no new cause for remorse in my life. Trouble has come upon me through
my loves, both lawful and criminal; alas! no longer will I try to control
my awful fate, I will bow my head without a murmu