BLANCHE DE BEAULIEU. 257 
our life when it is in our power to preserve it ; and J am ready this 
instant to join your hands.” 
Both started as though they had heard a voice from heaven ; and, 
turning round, Marceau recognized in the stranger, who had now 
advanced towards them, the venerable minister of Sainte de Rhé. 
** Blanche de Beaulieu,” continued the priest, more solemnly, “in 
the name of thy father (whom my age, and the friendship which 
united us, give me the right to represent), by the love you bear 
him, I adjure you io yield; were he himself here he would com- 
mand it.” Her bosom heaved with conflicting emotions ; she hesi- 
tated an instant, then, unable longer to resist their united appeals, 
threw herself into'the arms of Marceau, exclaiming convulsively, 
“J am thine! I am thine!” while he, clasping her to his breast, 
mingled his tears with hers. The voice of the priest recalled them. 
“We must lose no time, my children,’’ said he, “ for my moments 
are numbered, and delay may prove fatal.” Taking Blanche by the 
hand, Marceau gently led her towards a spot where a few rays of 
light, struggling through a small loop-hole, rendered the darkness 
less obscure ; and there, falling on their knees, they awaited in si- 
lence the benediction of the priest. A feeling of superstitious awe 
involuntarily rose in their minds, as the walls echoed back the so- 
lemn words which were now, for the first time, uttered in that 
dreary cell, and the voices of both trembled as the holy vow passed 
their lips. Stretching his arms over their heads, the priest was pro- 
ceeding to pronounce the final prayer and benediction, when a sound 
of arms and voices from the corridor startled them. The affrighted 
Blanche buried her face in her hands, exclaiming ‘“ Are they come 
already to fetch me? Oh, my God! how frightful does death ap- 
pear at such a moment!” The General started up, and threw him- 
self before the door, a pistol in each hand. The soldiers drew back. 
“ Be not alarmed,” said the priest, “It is me they seek. I am pre- 
pared for death. On your knees, my children,’’ he continued, in a 
loud voice, “on your knees ; for with one foot in the tomb I will 
give you my blessing ; and the last blessing of a dying man is sa- 
ered.” ‘The astonished guards surrounded the group in silence, 
while, taking from his bosom a small crucifix which he had con- 
cealed there, he held it aloft, and slowly, impressively, uttered his 
parting benediction. Then, after a few minutes solemn silence, 
which none dared break, he turned to the soldiers, saying firmly— 
“Proceed ; I am ready.” The thick door swung heavily back on 
its hinges, and in another instant the young General was left alone 
with Blanche. 
VOL. IX., NO. XXVI, 35 
