“May Heaven bless the union!” exclaimed Feckenham.
“There is the contract,” pursued Mary, giving the parchment to Renard, who reverentially received it. “On my part, it is a marriage concluded.”
“And equally so on the part of the prince, my master,” replied Renard. “In his name I beg to express to your highness the deep satisfaction which this union will afford him.”
“For the present this contract must be kept secret, even from our privy councillors,” said the queen.
“It shall never pass my lips,” rejoined Renard.
“And mine are closed by my sacred calling,” added the confessor.
“Your majesty, I am sure, has done wisely in this step,” observed Renard, “and, I trust, happily.”
“I trust so too, sir,” replied the Queen—“but time will show. These things are in the hands of the Great Disposer of events.”