Part 33 (2/2)

Brilliana's voice was charged with grat.i.tude. ”Oh, your Majesty is always n.o.ble. But how?”

Charles looked at her fixedly, touching his chin with the feather of his quill. ”Thuswise--only thuswise. You will persuade Captain Cloud to return to his allegiance.”

Brilliana's grat.i.tude ebbed and her voice hardened. ”I know he will never change sides.”

An enigmatic smile pa.s.sed over the fretful face of the King. ”I think so, too,” he agreed, and turned again to his papers. But Brilliana was not to be so rebuffed. Coming a little nearer to Charles, she fell on her knees and extended her hands in supplication. ”Sire, my lover's life!”

Charles, who had lost nothing of her actions, though he affected to be wholly absorbed in his business, looked round and down at her with much a.s.sumption of surprise.

”You are still there? You are a pertinacious maykin.”

”Sire, in the Queen's name!” Brilliana pleaded. The King sighed.

”Well, one more concession, this is the last--the very last.” Charles prided himself on his firmness, and he struck the table as he spoke to emphasize his unalterable resolve. ”If you win me his word of honor to take no more part in this war, to remain neutral till King humble Commons or Commons murder King, why, it is enough; he lives.”

Brilliana s.h.i.+vered at the King's alternative. ”Your Majesty cannot believe that the worst of your subjects would aim at your sacred life?”

The King's fine eyes were more than usual melancholy, and he opened and clasped his long fingers nervously.

”I cannot choose but believe it. Their words are wild--that is trifling. But long ago, when I was young, there was a man, one Arthur Dee, a wizard and the son of a wizard, he had a magic crystal--ah, Father in heaven!”

Charles gave a groan and hid his face in his hands, Brilliana thrilled with compa.s.sion. ”Your Majesty!” she cried; ”your Majesty!”

Charles drew his hands away from his face. He rose, and, as he spoke, he stared fixedly before him as if he saw the sight he was describing.

”In that sphere I saw a platform hung with black. On it I seemed to see myself staring at a sea of hateful faces. One with a mask stood by my side who carried an axe. I have never forgotten it.”

He stood rigid, with clasped hands. Brilliana shuddered at his words.

”Sire! sire! this was some lying vision.”

With an effort the King controlled himself; his features softened to their habitual melancholy, his hands relaxed their clasp, and he seated himself again by the table.

”Belike, belike; I am unwise to think upon it,” he said, in a low voice. Leaning across the table, he struck a bell sharply. The door opened and the soldier in immediate attendance upon the King entered.

”Tell Sir Rufus to attend us,” the King said. The soldier bowed and withdrew. Charles looked up at Brilliana. ”Sir Rufus will be loath to lose his prey,” he said. ”He is a fierce hawk that clings to his quarry.”

”He was once my friend,” Brilliana said, sadly. The King smiled his melancholy smile.

”If I were in his place,” he said, gravely, ”I think I might be tempted to play his part. You are a very fair maiden.”

Brilliana shook her head. ”The love that makes a man base is no good love. He will never be my friend again.”

”Here, as I think, he comes,” Charles said. The door opened and Sir Rufus entered the room. He was so amazed at facing Brilliana that for a moment he forgot to render salutation to the King. Charles's eyes brightened as they used to brighten at the playhouse. Here was a living play being played before him, tragical, comical--man and woman fighting for a man's life.

”Sir Rufus,” he ordered, ”send to our presence the prisoner, the Parliament officer.”

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