No, there was no escape for the queen. She had once succeeded in
clearing herself of an accusation, and proving her innocence, by a
rebutting alibi. But this time she was irretrievably lost, and no
alibi could deliver her.
The king completed his work and arose, whilst Douglas, at his
command, was employed in setting the king's seal to the fatal paper.
From the hall was heard a slight noise, as though some person were
cautiously moving about there.
Earl Douglas did not notice it; he was just in the act of pressing
the signet hard on the melted sealing-wax.
The king heard it, and supposed that it was Geraldine, and that she
was just waking from her swoon and rising.
He stepped to the door of the hall, and looked toward the place
where she was lying. But no--she had not yet risen; she still lay
stretched at full length on the floor.
"She has come to; but she still pretends to be in a swoon," thought
the king; and he turned to Douglas.
"We are done," said he; "the warrant for imprisonment is prepared,
and the sentence of the adulterous queen is spoken. We have done
with her forever; and never shall she again behold our face, or
again hear our voice. She is sentenced and damned, and the royal
mercy has nothing more to do with this sinner. A curse on the
adulteress! A curse on the shameless woman who deceived her husband,
and gave herself up to a traitorous paramour! Woe to her, and may
shame and disgrace forever mark her name, which--"
Suddenly the king stopped and listened.
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