A strange sad spectacle met their gaze. In the midst of the chamber stood a bier, covered with a velvet pall, and on it the bodies of a youth and maiden were deposited. Pale and beautiful were they as sculptured marble, and a smile sat upon their features. Side by side they were lying, with their arms enfolded, as if they had died in each other's embrace. A wreath of yew and cypress was placed above their heads, and flowers were scattered round them.
They were Richard and Alizon.
It was a deeply touching sight, and for some time none spake. The solemn dirge continued, interrupted only by the stifled sobs of the listeners.
"Both gone!" exclaimed Nicholas, in accents broken by emotion; "and so young—so good—so beautiful! Alas! alas!"
"She could not have bewitched him," said the King.
"Alizon was all purity and goodness," cried Nicholas, "and is now numbered with the angels."
"The guilty one is in thy hands, O King!" said the voice. "It is for thee to punish."
"And I will not hold my hand," said James. "The Devices shall assuredly perish. When I go from this chamber, I will have them conveyed under a strong escort to Lancaster Castle. They shall die by the hands of the common executioner."
"My mission, then, is complete," replied the voice. "I can rest in peace.".
"Who art thou?" demanded the King.