eks to follow, he was to repent at leisure.

'Ah,' said he, 'the Countess? Now I perceive the reason of your
Highness's disorder.'

The lackey-like insolence of the words was driven home by a more insolent
manner. There fell upon Seraphina one of those storm-clouds which had
already blackened upon her reason; she heard herself cry out; and when
the cloud dispersed, flung the blood-stained dagger on the floor, and saw
Gondremark reeling back with open mouth and clapping his hand upon the
wound. The next moment, with oaths that she had never heard, he leaped
at her in savage passion; clutched her as she recoiled; and in the very
act, stumbled and drooped. She had scarce time to fear his murderous
onslaught ere he fell before her feet.

He rose upon one elbow; she still staring upon him, white with horror.

'Anna!' he cried, 'Anna! Help!'

And then his utterance failed him, and he fell back, to all appearance
dead.

Seraphina ran to and fro in the room; she wrung her hands and cried
aloud; within she was all one uproar of terror, and conscious of no
articulate wish but to awake.

There came a knocking at the door; and she sprang to it and held it,
panting like a beast, and with the strength of madness in her arms, till
she had pushed the bolt. At this success a certain calm fell upon her
reason. She went back and looked upon her victim, the knocking growing
louder. O yes, he was dead. She had killed him. He had called upon von
Rosen with his latest breath; ah! who would call on Seraphina? She had
killed him. She, whose irresolute hand could scarce prick blood from her
own bosom, had found strength to cast down that great colossus at a blow.

All this while the knocking was growing more uproarious and more unlike
the staid career of life in such a palace. Scandal was at the door, with
what a fatal following she dreaded to conceive; and at the same time
among the voices that now began to summon her by name, she recognised the
Chancellor's. He or another, somebody must be the first.

'Is Herr von Greisengesang without?' she called.

'Your Highness--yes!' the old gentleman answered. 'We have heard cries,
a fall. Is anything amiss?'

'Nothing,' replied Seraphina 'I desire to speak with you. Send off the
rest.' She panted between each phrase; but her mind was clear. She let
the looped curtain down upon both sides before she drew the bolt; and,
thus secure from any sudden eyeshot from without, admit