"With both," replied the holy man. "The Lady Isabella--"

"What of her?" interrupted Manfred, eagerly.

"Is at St. Nicholas's altar," replied Jerome.

"That is no business of Hippolita," said Manfred with confusion;
"let us retire to my chamber, Father, and inform me how she came
thither."

"No, my Lord," replied the good man, with an air of firmness and
authority, that daunted even the resolute Manfred, who could not
help revering the saint-like virtues of Jerome; "my commission is
to both, and with your Highness's good-liking, in the presence of
both I shall deliver it; but first, my Lord, I must interrogate the
Princess, whether she is acquainted with the cause of the Lady
Isabella's retirement from your castle."

"No, on my soul," said Hippolita; "does Isabella charge me with
being privy to it?"

"Father," interrupted Manfred, "I pay due reverence to your holy
profession; but I am sovereign here, and will allow no meddling
priest to interfere in the affairs of my domestic. If you have
aught to say attend me to my chamber; I do not use to let my wife
be acquainted with the secret affairs of my state; they are not
within a woman's province."

"My Lord," said the holy man, "I am no intruder into the secrets of
families. My office is to promote peace, to heal divisions, to