or would have encouraged any communion with the black arts of devotees of the evil one. No proof has been offered that the gift in question had ever been exposed to the influence of any hands but those of the Lady Judith herself. For my part, l am now convinced that the reverend bishop’s apprehensions arise from a commingling of pious fear and intentional policies, both resulting in a purpose to discredit the marriage of the Queen Kunigunde, and the king’s right to the throne of his fathers. I am of opinion that the queen’s highness has been the dupe of more experienced plotters who have employed the cry of magic to disquiet her young mind for purposes adverse to the king’s interests.”
“I have pledged my royal word,” said Queen Judith in some alarm, “that the king’s consent would erect and endow the kœnigsaal for the brethren of the Cistercian order; and I therefore appeal to his highness in council to sustain my promise by issuing tie decree required.”
“I may pledge the brethren beforehand,” said Tobias, “to faithfully preserve the record as it shall be delivered to them of the recent events to which they owe their foundation; and I doubt not that their zeal will supply any defects that may be found in existing report on the subject. Their house shall not want well attested stateinents justifying their community, and furnishing all needful details of the long continued wickedness, and merited death of that servant of evil who forfeited his life for his crimes.”
“His memory,” said Benes, “is acquitted of all
