"
Fleur-de-Marie stood upright, pale, and beautiful, in the majesty of
incurable misfortune.
"My father, we forget that before marrying me Prince Henry must know my
past life."
"I have not forgotten it," cried Rudolph. "He must know all, he shall know
all."
"And would you not rather see me die than see me so degraded in his eyes?"
"But he shall also know what an irresistible fatality plunged you into the
abyss. He shall know your restoration."
"And he will finally feel," replied Clemence, pressing Fleur-de-Marie in
her arms, "that when I call you my daughter, he may without shame call you
his wife!"
"And I, mother, I love Prince Henry too much, I esteem him too much, ever
to give him a hand which has been touched by the ruffians of the city."
* * * * *
A short time after this sad scene, the "Official Gazette" of Gerolstein
contained the following announcement:
"Yesterday took place, at the Grand-Ducal Abbey of Saint Hermangilda, in
presence of his royal highness the reigning grand duke and all the court,
the taking of the veil by the very high and most puissant princess, her
Royal Highness Amelia of Gerolstein. The novice was received by the most
illustrious and most reverend Lord Charles Maximilian, Archbishop-Duke of
Oppenheim; Lord Hannibal, Andre Montano, of the Princes of Delpha, Bishop
of Ceuta _in partibus infidelium_ and apostolic nuncio, gave the salutation
and the Papal benediction.
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