St. Benedict, and St. Dominic are
invoked perpetually for the disarmament of his scruples. Vanity
blinds him to the danger of assassination. Alberia is in a red
mood. _Carissime_, the dark, inevitable hour will come. Be prepared
for it. Depend entirely now on the might of your religious belief.
Men cannot assist you. I have helped many, but no one has ever
helped me. Political life must be taken as you find it, and it is
neither in my disposition, nor, I am sure, in yours, to indulge in
complaints of unkindness. I have reached a point now when I should
like to quote Dante. Consider him quoted, and believe me,

"Ever yours,

"D."

The course of the intrigue may be followed most conveniently at this
point in the document known as Mudara's Confession.

Mudara, it will be remembered, was in the Alberian Secret
Service.[Footnote: See The School for Saints, p. 395.] He it was who
confirmed the false news of Parflete's suicide, and did so much to
hasten Orange's marriage. He says in his narrative:--

The death of the Archduke Charles--which occurred some weeks before
it was anticipated--put the Alberian Government to very grave
embarrassment.

1. It was impossible to deny the legitimacy of the Archduchess
Marie-Brigitte-Henriette (known as Mrs. Parflete). The rumour was
officially denied, and every proper measure was taken for the
suppression of a fact dangerous at all times and especially so
during a national crisis. Had the Archduchess been so ill-advised
as to stand upon her legal rights, the case would have been very
awkward for the Government. They intended, in any event, to plead
ignorance, and had prepared every proof of their good faith in
withstanding the claim.

2. It was clear, beyond a doubt, on the highest ecclesiastical
authority, that, if application were made, the marriage between the
Archduchess and Parflete would be annulled at Rome. Parflete was
regarded with great suspicion. He was capable of any treachery. He
could not hold his tongue, and we know what that means at Court.
The one person he feared was the Archduke Charles, and now that
death had removed His Imperial Highness, we understood what to
expect from the disgraced Equerry.

3. The Government's Agents had formed a very high opinion of M.