“Albert de Hers,” said Sir Sandrit, as the tears coursed down his brown cheeks, “I freely forgive you and yours; and nevermore shall my hand be raised against you.”

Henry repeated the words after his father.

“And I,” said the Lord of Hers, “will forget the past:  and I declare, here in the presence of dying innocence, that I am guiltless of your brother’s blood!”

The Countess of Montfort sobbed aloud, and her husband made no effort to conceal his tears.  Father Omehr, who had raised his hands to heaven in an ecstasy of gratitude, now exclaimed: 

“Let me speak for one who is not here:  Gilbert de Hers has long since forgiven those who were once his father’s foes.”

The object of her life was attained—­the goal was reached—­the victory was won.  There lay the victor, supported in the arms of her friend.  The victory was hers, for though heaven had won it, she had won heaven by prayer.  What are earth’s conquests to a victory like this!  What the splendid overthrow of nations—­what Thermopylae, or Marathon, or Trafalgar to this triumph over long-nourished hatred!  When does man appear in so magnificent an attitude as when, by fervent prayer and complete humility, he converts heaven into an agent by which his desires are accomplished!

Yet the dying victor felt no pride.  Her heart was dissolved in gratitude:  she knew her nothingness, and ascribed all to God.  She spoke not, she wept not:  even the wonted smile forsook her lips.  She only felt the immensity of the goodness of God—­she only bowed before this new manifestation of his power.  The three knights, who looked up in her face, saw she was invoking a blessing upon them, and reverently bent their heads, as if in the feeling that the blessing was then descending.

Young girls clothed in white were noiselessly strewing with flowers the way by which the adorable Sacrament was to pass from the chapel to the chamber.  The blessed candle, the emblem of the light of faith and of the heavenly mansions, was lit, and the maiden, unable to kneel, received the Sacred Body as she lay.  Her eyes were closed, and, as if detached from all earthly things, she continued to murmur, almost inaudibly, passages from the Psalms and pious ejaculations.  She raised her finger to trace upon her lips the sign of Christ, and then fell into her agony.

Three times the bell had tolled when the last absolution was given, and its solemn voice still sounded at regular intervals, mingling with the sublime words that bade the faint soul go forth from the world in the name of God the Father Almighty, who created it, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for it, in the name of the Holy Spirit, which had been imparted to it:  in the name of Angels and Archangels, in the name of Thrones and Dominations, in the name of Principalities and Powers, in the name of Cherubim and Seraphim, in the name of Patriarchs and Prophets, in the name of holy Apostles and Evangelists, in the name of holy martyrs and confessors, in the name of holy monks and hermits, in the name of holy virgins and all the Saints of God, that its rest that day might be in peace, and its habitation in holy Sion!