The troubles of
the morning seemed to fade away under the warmth of her humor. Yetive
sat back and marvelled at the manner in which this blithe young American
cast out the "blue devils."
"You must not do anything foolish, Beverly," she cautioned, "Your
parents would never forgive me if I allowed you to marry or even to fall
in love with any Tom, Dick or Harry over here. Baldos may be the
gallant, honest gentleman we believe him to be, but he also may be the
worst of adventurers. One can never tell, dear. I wish now that I had
not humored you in your plan to bring him to the castle. I'm afraid I
have done wrong. You have seen too much of him and--oh, well, you
_will_ be sensible, won't you, dear?" There was real concern in the
face of the princess. Beverly kissed her rapturously.
"Don't worry about me, Yetive. I know how to take care of myself. Worry
about your old Gabriel, if you like, but don't bother your head about
me," she cried airily. "Now let's talk about the war. Marlanx won't do
anything until he hears from me. What's the use worrying?"
Nightfall brought General Marlanx in from the camps outside the
gates. He came direct to the castle and boldly sent word to Beverly that
he must speak to her at once. She promptly answered that she did not
want to see him and would not. Without a moment's hesitation he appealed
for an audience with the princess, and it was granted.
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