Barbara smiled sadly as she replied, "Kossuth will deem me unjust, but I fear there can be no renewal of the treaty."
"Your Highness," said Radzivil, with a significant glance at Paul, "the first act of to-morrow's Diet shall be the repeal of the princely marriage statute."
"But," whispered Zabern to Katina, "since no such statute bars our way, why should not old Faustus make us one ere the night come?"
Katina blushed and averted her head. But, be it noted, she offered no opposition to the marshal's desire.
"Princess," said Zabern, glancing at his watch, "your coronation has been delayed two hours by the action of the duke and the Czar. Your loyal subjects in the cathedral are beginning to ask whether there is to be any coronation. Let your Highness resume your place in the choir, and receive your lawful crown, thus triumphing in the very presence of the Czar."
The party withdrew from the sacristy, and the ladies entered to aid the princess in her robing.
As Paul made his appearance in the choir, he was greeted with a cry which, rolling through the cathedral and penetrating to the sacristy, caused Barbara's cheek to color with pride and pleasure. For that cry was—
"LONG LIVE PAUL, PRINCE OF CZERNOVA!"
THE END
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