"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 Clémence, 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. The sermon was pronounced by the most reverend Lord Peter von Asfeld, Canon of the Chapter of Cologne, Count of the Holy Roman Empire—VENI CREATOR OPTIME."