"Don't!" she whispered hoarsely.
"Have courage," he murmured softly. "It will all be well. There is no
danger."
"So this is the woman!" she cried bitterly.
"Yes. You alone are dearer to me than she," he uttered hurriedly.
"I can't believe a word you say."
"You will, Beverly. I love you. That is why I came back. I could not
leave you to meet it alone. Was I not right? Let them put me into
irons--let them kill me--"
"Come!" cried Colonel Quinnox, reaching his side at this instant. "The
girl will be cared for. You are a prisoner."
"Wait!" implored Beverly, light suddenly breaking in upon her. "Please
wait, Colonel Quinnox." He hesitated, his broad shoulders between her
and the gaping crowd below. She saw with grateful heart that Yetive and
Lorry were holding the steps as if against a warlike foe. "Is she--is
she your wife?"
"Good heavens, no!" gasped Baldos.
"Your sweetheart?" piteously.
"She is the sister of the man I serve so poorly," he whispered. Quinnox
allowed them to walk a few paces down the flagging, away from the
curious gaze of the persons below.
"Oh, Baldos!" she cried, her heart suddenly melting. "Is she Prince
Dantan's sister?" Her hand clasped his convulsively, as he nodded
assent. "Now I do love you."
"Thank God!" he whispered joyously. "I knew it, but I was afraid you
never would speak the words. I am happy--I am wild with joy."
"But they may shoot you," she shuddered. "You have condemned
yourself. Oh, I cannot talk to you as I want to--out here before all
these people. Don't move, Colonel Quinnox--they can't see through
you. Please stand still."
"They will not shoot me, Beverly, dear. I am not a spy," said Baldos,
looking down into the eyes of the slender boyish figure who stood beside
the princess. "It is better that I should die, however," he went on
bitterly. "Life will not be worth living without you. You would not give
yourself to the lowly, humble hunter, so I--"
"I will marry you, Paul. I love you. Can't anything be done to--"
"It is bound to come out all right in the end," he cried, throwing up
his head to drink in the new joy of living. "They will find that I have
done nothing to injure Graustark. Wait, dearest, until the day gives up
its news. It will not be long in coming. Ah, this promise of yours gives
me new life, new joy. I could shout it from the housetops!"
"But don't!" she cried nervously. "How does she happen to be here with
you? Tell me, Paul. Oh, isn't she a dear?"
"You shall know everything in time. Watch over her, dearest. I have lied
today for you, but it was a lie I loved. Care for her if you love
me. When I am free and in favor again you will--Ah!" he broke off
suddenly with an exclamation. His eyes were bent eagerly on the circle
of trees just beyond the parade-ground. Then his hand clasped hers in
one spasmodic grip of relief. An instant later he was towering, with
head bare, at the top of the steps, his hand pointed dramatically toward
the trees.