"Those men--over there," she whispered helplessly. "They are looking at
you!"
"Now, I thank God eternally," he cried softly, "You do not punish me,
you do not rebuke me. God, there is no night!"
"You--you must not talk like that," she cried, pulling herself together
suddenly. "I cannot permit it, Baldos. You forget who you are, sir,"
"Ah, yes, your highness," he said, before he stood erect. "I forget that
I was a suspected traitor. Now I am guilty of _lese majeste."_
Beverly felt herself grow hot with confusion.
"What am I to do with you?" she cried in perplexity, her heart beating
shamefully. "You swear you are honest, and yet you won't tell me the
truth. Now, don't stand like that! You are as straight as a ramrod, and
I know your dignity is terribly offended. I may be foolish, but I
_do_ believe you intend no harm to Graustark. You _cannot_ be
a traitor."
"I will some day give my life to repay you for those words, your
highness," he said. Her hand was resting on the side of the
chair. Something warm touched it, and then it was lifted
resistlessly. Hot, passionate lips burned themselves into the white
fingers, and a glow went into every fiber of her body.
"Oh!" was all she could say. He gently released the hand and threw up
his chin resolutely.
"I am _almost_ ready to die," he said. She laughed for the first
time since they entered the park.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203