“But I have already given you absolution, my erring daughter? Benedicite!  Benedicite!” replied the marquis still laughing.

At that moment there was a light rap at the library door, followed by the entrance of a footman who placed a small, twisted note in the hands of Miss Levison.  She opened it and read: 

“MY DEAR CHILD:  It is after ten o’clock.  We go to church at eleven.  Sir Lemuel has not yet rung his bell.  His valet having received his orders last night not to call him this morning, has declined to do so.  What is to be done under these circumstances?  Send me a verbal message by the bearer.  Your loving Aunt,

“SOPHIE BELGRADE.”

“My father not yet risen!” exclaimed Salome in surprise.  “He must have overslept himself with fatigue.  Tell Lady Belgrade, with my thanks, that I will go to my father’s room and waken him,” she added, turning to the footman, who bowed and went to deliver his message.

“I hope Sir Lemuel is quite well?” said the young marquis, earnestly.

“He is quite well.  My father regulates his habits so well as to live in perfect harmony with the laws of life and health.  If he fatigues himself over night, he always takes a compensating rest in the morning.  That is what he is doing now.  But I think he is sleeping even longer than he intended to do, so I really must arouse him now, if we are to keep our appointment with the minister.  Good-by, until we meet at the church, Lord Arondelle,” she said, as she floated from the room in her bridal robe, and vail.

“Who says that she is not beautiful, belies her?  She is lovely in person and in spirit,” murmured the young marquis, as he took up his hat to leave the house.

CHAPTER VIII.

A HORRIBLE DISCOVERY.

In order not to attract the attention of the crowds of people who swarmed in the village, on the bridge, and on the island, Lord Arondelle had driven over to the castle in a closed cab that now waited at the gates to take him back again.

He left the library and went out into the great hall.

The hall porter, an elderly, stout, and important-looking functionary, slowly arose from his chair to honor the young marquis by opening the doors with his own official hands instead of leaving that duty to the footman.

And Lord Arondelle was just in the act of passing out when his steps were suddenly arrested.

A WILD AND PIERCING SHRIEK RANG THROUGH THE HOUSE, STARTLING ALL ITS ECHOES!

It was followed by a dead silence, and then by the sound of many hurrying feet and terrified exclamations.

“Salome! my bride!  Oh, what has happened!” thought the startled young marquis, rushing back into the hall and up the stairs.

In the upper hall he found a crowd of terrified people, all hurrying in one direction—­toward the bedroom of the banker.