"What else is there? speak! speak! I am waiting."
"Poor Richon—"
"Yes, I know; he is a prisoner—did I not send you to negotiate his ransom!"
"Although I made all possible speed, I arrived too late."
"What! too late?" cried Lenet; "can any harm have come to him?"
"He is dead."
"Dead!" echoed the princess.
"He was tried for high treason, and was condemned and executed."
"Condemned! executed! Ah! you hear, madame," said the horror-stricken Lenet, "I told you how it would he!"
"Who condemned him? who was so bold?