Left to the dreadful solitude of her chamber, she continued a considerable time longer upon her knees, with her eyes fixed upon the dagger, which lay at a little distance from her. At length, slowly rising, she advanced to it, and taking it up, brought it to the light to examine it; the hilt was curiously studded with precious stones, but the blade was almost entirely covered with rust.
"He said (cried Madeline in a hollow voice), that the blood of innocence polluted it. Oh, God! (continued she, letting it drop with horror from her), in whose hand was it clenched at that fearful moment!"
The suspicions, which had agitated her on her first entrance into the castle, again rushed upon her mind; but when nearly sinking beneath them, the assurance her father had given her of being utterly unconcerned in the fate of Lord Philippe recurred to her recollection, and cheered her fainting heart.
