Stephania raised her head petulantly.
"Monk, thou knowest not all! During all this meeting the Senator of Rome was present in the Grotto and watched us from one of the ivy hollows in the cave!"
"The Senator of Rome!" exclaimed the monk with evident amazement. "How came he there?"
"By contrivance!"
"I do not understand!"
"It was at his behest that I have done the deed, to further his vast projects, call it his ambition, if you will—to which the King is the stumbling block. Ask me no more,—for I will not answer!"
Nilus seemed struck dumb by the revelation.
"Take comfort, daughter, he cannot,—he cannot—" whispered the monk, bending over her and speaking in so low a tone that the devouring listener could not distinguish one word.
For a time not a word was to be heard, Nilus inclining his ear to Stephania's lips, whose confession was oft times broken by sobs.
"Tell me all,—all!" said the monk.