Alas ! the accent with which these words were spoken revealed Ethel's secret to the sharp-sighted stranger.
She assumed an air of calm composure, and asked, without taking her eyes from the girl's face: "Have you heard of the approaching marriage of the viceroy's son to the daughter of the present lord chancellor, d'Ahlefeld?"
She was obliged to repeat her question before Ethel's mind could grasp an idea which did not interest her.
"I believe I have," was her answer.
Her calmness, and her indifferent manner, seemed to surprise the stranger.
"Well, what do you think of this marriage?"
It was impossible to note the slightest change in Ethel's large eyes as she replied : "Nothing, truly. May their union be a happy one!"
"Counts Guldenlew and d'Ahlefeld, the fathers of the young couple, are both bitter enemies of your father."
"May their marriage be blessed!" gently repeated Ethel.
"I have an idea," continued the crafty stranger. "If your father's life be really threatened, you might obtain his pardon through the viceroy's son upon the occasion of this great marriage."
"May the saints reward you for your kind thought for us, noble lady; but how should my petition reach the viceroy's son?"
These words were spoken in such good faith that they drew a gesture of surprise from the stranger.
"What ! do you not know him?"
"That powerful lord!" cried Ethel. "You forget that I have never been outside the walls of this fortress."
