“Nay, I cannot say it, for I know not what lies before me.”  Katherine was unable to control her grief, and as it broke out, the guardsman discreetly walked to the farther end of the room.  Cedric had raised her from the floor and half-supported her as she poured out her grief in words of pleading and entreaty; but Cedric was as adamant, he would not bend to offer any hope.  This unbending quality she could not understand, and took it as an omen of ill.  In very truth she felt she was to lose for all time her heart’s idol.  And when Cedric spoke to the guard and told him he was ready to go, she cried “Nay, nay, nay!” in such awful agony he came near relenting.  She turned white and would have fallen, had not Cedric supported her.  Janet had already entered the room and now came running to her mistress, whom she took in her arms.  Cedric turned to the guardsman, saying,—­

“My wife is ill.  If thou wilt return to London, I will follow within a day or so!”

“In the name of the King I beg my Lord of Crandlemar—­”

Janet broke in at this and said with a ringing voice,—­

“Thy order is for the Lord of Crandlemar?”

“It is, madam.”

“Then I will tell thee, sir, Lord Cedric of Crandlemar is not here.  This is the Duke of Ellswold.”  She turned to his lordship as she spoke and saw his face grow white.  He loved his uncle tenderly.  There was a moment of palpable silence; the guardsman bowed to the floor, and the long plumes of his hat swept it in homage, as he raised his hand to his breast.  Katherine had swooned and did not hear Janet’s assertion, nor did she hear the King’s other order for the Duke of Ellswold.  The King was aroused and would allow of no mischance.  Cedric must go before his Majesty at once.

After a few moments in the death chamber, Cedric started for London.  Before they had reached the confines of the city, however, the news of the old Duke’s demise had reached the King, who was in high humour, and the result was, a courier had been sent to tell Cedric to return to his castle until after the funeral.  So Cedric, accompanied by the King’s guard, rode on to the Seat of the Dukes of Ellswold, where in the old Abbey there was much pomp in the putting away of the late Duke.

It was a great disappointment to Cedric not to see Katherine, and he was grieved to learn she had not, after so many days, entirely recovered from her swoon.  He was consoled, however, by his aunt’s assertion that her illness was not serious.  He turned from Ellswold and hastened back London way, impatient to know why he was sent for, and to have matters settled satisfactorily for all time, that he might with an unburdened heart go to Crandlemar and claim his Duchess; who, he now knew, would be the sweet and loving wife she should.  He was truly sad at the loss of his uncle, and for this cause alone he rode into London with downcast appearance.  He feared not the evils of the Tower or Tyburn-tree or the menace of either