"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.




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