Barbara, breaking the seals, proceeded to read the contents of the three missives, which were all couched in much the same terms. Each began by affirming that the then regnant Princess of Czernova was not Natalie Lilieska, and various circumstances were adduced in proof of this statement. The document then went on to assert, and the assertion brought the color of shame to Barbara's cheek, that the self-styled Natalie was the illegitimate daughter of the late Prince Thaddeus, and therefore legally debarred from reigning.
"Mother of God! can this be true?" murmured Barbara, with anguish at her heart.
The cardinal did not deny his own share in the plot by which Barbara had been raised to the throne, but rather took credit to himself in a matter, which, as he fondly hoped, would tend to advance the interests of the Catholic Church in Czernova. He concluded by stating that he lived in some fear of the princess, who viewed him with dislike, as being the sole depositary of her secret; therefore if he should be arrested, or should be secretly slain, or should mysteriously disappear, men would know to whom the deed should be ascribed.
Barbara, having read the documents, threw them upon the fire, and watched till they were consumed.
"Nothing now remains," remarked Zabern, "but to arrest the cardinal in the first moment of his return."
"There is another who threatens my safety. When, marshal, do you intend to seize Lipski, and his store of arms?"
"Not till the day before the coronation, so please your Highness."
"Where is the advantage in this delay?"
"Why, thus. If we arrest Lipski now we give the enemy opportunities of forming new plans, and of collecting fresh supplies of weapons, whereas a raid on the very eve of the coronation will throw the plotters into a confusion, from which they will not have time to recover."
"But if the arms should be carried forth before the 14th of September?"