It was this cry of anguish that rang through the hall, and spread

everywhere astonishment and consternation. And this shrieking,

and weeping, and trembling, was no mask, but truth. Elizabeth was

frightened, she wept and trembled from fear, but she had sufficient

presence of mind not to betray herself in words. It was fear even that

gave her that presence of mind and enabled her to play her part in a

manner so masterly that the regent was completely deceived. Taking the

princess in her arms, she pressed her to her bosom, at the same time

endeavoring to reassure and console her with tender and affectionate

words, with reiterated promises of her protection and her love.

But it was a long time before the trembling and weeping princess

could be tranquillized--before she could be made to believe Anna's

asseverations that she had always loved and never mistrusted her.

"What most deeply saddens me," said Elizabeth, with feeling, "is the

idea that you, my Anna, could believe these calumnies, and suppose me

capable of such black treason. Ah, I should be as bad as Judas Iscariot

could I betray my noble and generous mistress."

Tears of emotion stood in Anna's eyes. She impressed a tender kiss upon

Elizabeth's lips, and with her own hand wiped the tears from the cheeks

of the princess.

"Weep no more, Elizabeth," she tenderly said--"nay, I beg of you, weep

no more. It is indeed all right and good between us, and no cloud shall

disturb our love or our mutual confidence. Come, let us smile and be

cheerful again, that this listening and curious court may know nothing

of your tears. They would make a prodigious affair of it, and we will

not give them occasion to say we have been at variance."

"No, they shall all see that I love, that I adore you," said Elizabeth,

covering Anna's hand with kisses.

"They shall see that we love each other," said Anna, taking the arm of

the princess. "Be of good cheer, my friend, and take my imperial word

for it that I, whatever people may say of you, will believe no one but

yourself; that I will truly inform you of all calumnies, and give you

an opportunity to disarm your enemies and defend yourself. Now come, and

let us make another tour through the halls."

Arm in arm the two princesses returned to the nearest hall. This was

empty, no one daring to remain there lest they might incur the blame of

having overheard and understood some word of the princesses, and thus

acquired a knowledge of their private conversation. People had therefore

withdrawn to the more distant rooms, where they still preserved a

breathless silence.

Suddenly the two princesses, arm in arm, again appeared in the halls,

pleasantly conversing, and instantly the scene was again changed, as

if by the stroke of a magic wand. The chilling silence melted into an

agreeable smile, and all recovered their breaths and former joviality.




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