The guard saw by her
eyes that she was frightened, but, if his heart beat violently, his face
was the picture of military stoniness.
"What are you doing there?" snarled the count.
"Did your highness call?" asked Baldos coolly.
"She did not call, fellow," said the count with deadly menace in his
voice. "Report to me in half an hour. You still have something to learn,
I see." Beverly was alarmed by the threat in his tones. She saw what
was in store for Baldos, for she knew quite as well as Marlanx that the
guard had deliberately intervened in her behalf.
"He cannot come in half an hour," she cried quickly. "I have something
for him to do, Count Marlanx. Besides, I think I _did_ call." Both
men stared at her.
"My ears are excellent," said Marlanx stiffly.
"I fancy Baldos's must be even better, for he heard me," said Beverly,
herself once more. The shadow of a smile crossed the face of the guard.
"He is impertinent, insolent, your highness. You will report to me
tomorrow, sir, at nine o'clock in Colonel Quinnox's quarters. Now, go!"
commanded the count.
"Wait a minute, Baldos. We are going out, too. Will you open that window
for me?" Baldos gladly took it as a command and threw open the long
French window. She gave him a grateful glance as she stepped through,
and he could scarcely conceal the gleam of joy that shot into his own
eyes.
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