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acramental words of union were deferred for the completion of the rite。 It was the first part of the Marriage Service； binding the pair so indissolubly to one another； that neither could enter into wedlock with any one else as long as the other livedexcept； of course； by Papal dispensation； and in cases of stolen weddings； it was all that was deemed needful。
All therefore that remained to be done was； that the Bishop summoned his chaplain to serve as a witness and as scribe； and then the two young people； in their deep mourning dresses； standing before the Bishop； vowed to belong to none other than to one another； and the betrothal rings being produced； were placed on their fingers； and their hands were clasped。 Malcolm's was steady； as he felt Esclairmonde's rest in his untrembling； but with the quietness of one who trusted all in all where she trusted at all。
'Poor children！ they have all to learn；' hilariously shouted the Countess。 'They have forgotten the kiss！'
'Will you suffer it； my sister？' said Malcolm； with burning cheeks。
'My brother and my guardian！' responded Esclairmonde； raising the white brow to his lips。
At that moment back went the door； and in flew Alice Montagu； crying aloud； 'Clairette！ the Queenoh； Madame； your pardon！ but I am sent for Esclairmonde。 The Queen is in worse fits than ever。 Sir Lewis can't get the ring from her。 They think she will rave like her father presently！ Come！'
Esclairmonde could only hurry away at this； while Alice； grasping her hand； continued：
'Oh； have they been persecuting you？ I dreaded it when I saw yon little wretch； butoh； Esclairmonde； what is this？' in an utterly changed voice。
'He holds my faith in trust。 He will restore it；' said Esclairmonde； hurriedly。
But Lady Montagu spoke not another word； and； indeed； they were hard upon the English queen's rooms； whence they already heard hysterical screams of passion。
Jaqueline had immediately set forth in the same direction out of curiosity； and Malcolm in much anxiety； since the mission that he had been cautioned to guard so jealously seemed in danger of being known everywhere。 He had himself been allowed to stand by the Queen's bedside； and rehearse James's message； but when he had further hinted of his being sent by Bedford to bring the ring； the Queen； perhaps at the mention of the brother…in…law； pouted； knew nothing of any ring； and supposed M。 le Duc meant to strip her； a poor desolate widow； of all her jewels。
Then Malcolm had spoken in private with Sir Lewis Robsart； who knew the ring was among her jewels； and promised to get it for him as soon as was possible； and it was while waiting for this that Malcolm had been summoned to the Countess of Hainault's apartments。
But ere Sir Lewis could get the ear of the Queen； as he now told Malcolm； her mother had been with her。 Catherine was dull； jealous； unwilling to part with anything； but always easily coaxed over。 Her mother Isabeau had； on the other hand； a good deal of low cunning and selfishness； and understood how valuable an instrument might be a duplicate seal of a deceased monarch。 Therefore she instigated her daughter to deny that she possessed it； and worked her up into a state of impracticability； in which Sir Lewis Robsart was unable to deal with her； and only produced so wild a tempest of passion as perfectly to appal both him and her ladies。
That the Duke of Bedford had sent for a ring； which she would not give up； was known over the whole palace； the only matter still not perhaps known was； what was the value of that individual ring。
Robsart； however； promised to exonerate Malcolm from having shown any indiscretion； he charged it all on himself for having left his Queen for an instant to Isabeau。
Meanwhile； Malcolm and he； with other nobles and ladies； waited； waited in the outer chamber； listening to the fearful storm of shrieks and cries； till they began to spend themselves and die away； and then they heard Esclairmonde's low voice singing her lullaby； and every one breathed freer； as though relieved； and murmurs of conversation rose again。 Malcolm moved across to greet the Lady Montagu； and though she looked at him with all the disdain her little gentle face could accomplish； he had somehow a spring and strength in him that could not now be brow…beaten。
He bent over her； and said； 'Lady； I see you know all。 It is but a trust。'
'If you so treat it； Sir； you will do well；' responded the young matron； with as much stern gravity as she could assume； the fact being that she longed to break down and cry heartily； that Esclairmonde should so far have failed； and become like other people。
Long； long they waitedMalcolm with a strange dreamy feeling at his heart； neither triumph nor disappointment； but something between both； and peace above all。 Dinner was served in the hall； the company returned to the outer apartment； yet still all was silent within； till at last； late in the afternoon； there came a black figure forth from under the black hangings； and Esclairmonde； turning to Lady Warwick； said； 'The Queen is awake； and desires her ladies' presence。' And then coming towards Malcolm； who was standing near Sir Lewis Robsart； she placed in his hand the signet…ring。
Both； while the attendants of the Queen filed back into her chamber； eagerly demanded how the ring had been obtained。
'Poor lady！' said Esclairmonde； 'she was too much spent to withhold anything。 She was weak and exhausted with cries and tears； and when she had slept； she was as meek as a lamb； and there was no more ado but to bid her remember that the blessed King her lord would have bidden her let the ring be broken up at once； lest it should be used so as to harm her son。'
That Esclairmonde had prevailed by that gentle force of character which no one could easily resist； could not； however； be doubted for a moment； and a fresh thrill of amazement； and almost of joy； came over Malcolm at the sense that he had become the protector of such a being； and that in a sort she belonged to him； and was in his power； having trusted herself to him。
Robsart advised； and Esclairmonde concurred in the counsel； that Lord Glenuskie should set forth for Vincennes immediately； before there should be time for any more cabals； or for Queen Isabeau to have made her daughter repent of having delivered up the signet…ring。
Malcolm therefore at once took leave of his affianced； venturing to kiss her hand as he looked wistfully in her face； and said； 'Dear lady； how shall I thank you for this trust？'
Esclairmonde gave her sweet grave smile； as she said； 'To God's keeping I commend you； Sir。' She would not even bid him be true to his trust； it would have seemed to her to insult him in whom her confidence was placed； and she only added： 'I shall ever bless you for having saved me。 Farewell！ Now am I bound for ever to pray for you and your sister。'
And it would be impossible to tell how the sense of Esclairmonde's trust； and of the resolute self…denial it would require of him； elevated Malcolm's whole tone； and braced his mind。 The taking away of his original high purpose had rendered him as aimless and pleasure…loving as any ordinary lad；