"By the solemn truth which I tell you, by the words I have said, we are separated for ever!"
"For the love of pity, say not so, I implore you!"
"What I say can matter little," she replied in a low broken voice; "I do love you, dear Florence; but our fate is in the hands of others."
"Others!" he exclaimed impetuously.
"Yes."
"What can control us, who are free agents?"
"Fatality. Thus our paths in life, like our graves in death, must lie far apart. But never, while breath remains, shall I forget you, Florence!"
"Oh, 'tis insanity or a dream this!" he exclaimed, and struck his forehead with a bewildered air; and, after bowing his face upon her hand, had barely time, to withdraw, when the heavy folds of the arras parted again, and the queen-mother stood before him, with a letter in her hand, and a smile almost of drollery on her beautiful lip; for she saw plainly, in the confusion of both, that a scene had taken place.
"You will convey this to my lord regent. It tells that I will meet him at the Convention of Estates in Stirling."
"Thanks for this high honour, madam," said Florence, kneeling for the double purpose of kissing the seal of the missive and veiling the deep colour which he felt was too evident in his face.