How Anna, seeing the dagger, had screamed,
and tried to get between, but had been seized by one of the execrated men,
and there been forced to watch the murder of her worshipped Queen. Ah! that
had been a moment the saints could never efface! The splendid lady had
stood quite still, her head thrown back, while this hound of hell had
lurched towards her--hissing through his evil teeth this dreadful sentence:
"Since thou hast at last obeyed me and found me an heir, making the people
love me, I have no more use for thee. It will be a joy to kill thee!"
And with that he had plunged the dagger in her heart.
Of all that followed the Excellency would know. How Vasili had entered,
scattering the minions like a mad bull, and springing upon the villainous
King, had torn his life out on the marble floor.
Thus ended the letter.
Ah, God! For Paul had come the tears. But for her--cold steel and blood.
And so, as ever, the woman paid the price.
CHAPTER XXX
Now some of you who read will think her death was just, because she was not
a moral woman. But others will hold with Paul she was the noblest lady who
ever wore a crown. And in all cases she is beyond our puny reasonings.
But her work in Paul's heart still lives, and will live to the end of his
life.
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