"
And again he fell upon his knees supplicating for pity.
"Be merciful! be merciful!" cried the queen's confessor and the
Countess Ogliva, who both knew that General Wylich would do all that
he had said, and had both fallen on their knees, adding their
entreaties to his. "Your Majesty has done all that human power can
do. It is now time to guard your holy form from insult. Have mercy
on your threatened royalty."
"No, no!" murmured the queen, "I cannot! I cannot! Death would be
sweet in comparison to this humiliating defeat."
The queen's confessor, Father Guarini, now rose from his knees, and,
approaching the queen, he said, in a solemn, commanding voice:
"My daughter, by virtue of my profession, as a servant of the holy
mother church, to whom is due obedience and trust, I command you to
deliver up to this man the key of this door."
The queen's head fell upon her breast, and hollow, convulsive groans
escaped her. Then, with a hasty movement, she severed the key from
her chain.
"I obey you, my father," said she. "There is the key, general; this
room can now be entered."
General Wylich took the key, kissing reverentially the hand that
gave it to him.
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