"Marshal, is it true that the princess has not yet been informed of the result of the duel?"
It was Paul who spoke, and he spoke with some warmth.
"Such have been my orders."
"Why do you prolong her suspense?"
"Who more fitting than the victor himself to convey the glad tidings? Go. Carry these papers with you. Tell the princess that they were found in the cardinal's palace!"
Taking the documents from the hand of Zabern, Paul proceeded to the sacristy, where he had left Barbara.
She was alone on her knees in prayer. She had heard the rapturous applause ringing through the cathedral aisles; she had heard the still louder shout from the square, and had trembled, knowing that all was over.
But when moment after moment went by and no one came with tidings, a black pall of horror fell over her. It must be that the duke's sword had prevailed, and that her friends from pity hesitated to come forward with the truth.
The door opened, yet she durst not turn her head.
Through the corridor came the solemn roll of the organ, and with it the voices of the white-robed choir: "Deposuit potentes et exaltavit humiles."