'And—and mademoiselle?
'Dear Marie Louise!' exclaimed René, as his fine eyes filled with passionate enthusiasm, while his cheek grew, if possible, paler; 'she is now Madame la Duchesse d'Alsace.'
It was now my turn to tremble and grow pale.
'Pardon me, M. René; but did I hear you aright?'
'Yes,' said he, casting down his melancholy eyes; 'she is now married—married within a week after Pappenheim, her betrothed and her abhorrence, was slain.'
'Married!' I reiterated in a whisper, for I could scarcely speak, 'to whom?'
'Monseigneur le Duc d'Alsace.'
'This duke is but a boy—a child!'
'True.'
'But this union is impossible!'