Part 14 (1/2)
”It is he!” she cried ”It is--the Duke of Strelsau!”
I s She returned to her seat For a few moments we sat in silence The noise outside subsided, but I heard the tread of feet in the ante-rooeneral subjects This went on for some minutes I wondered what had become of Michael, but it did not seereat surprise, Flavia, clasping her hands asked in an agitated voice:
”Are you wise to ry?”
”Why, by keeping hi”
”My dear cousin, I don't want to keep him--”
”Well, then, is he to come in?”
”Of course, if you wish it”
She looked at me curiously
”How funny you are,” she said ”Of course no one could be announced while I ith you”
Here was a char attribute of royalty!
”An excellent etiquette!” I cried ”But I had clean forgotten it; and if I were alone with someone else, couldn't you be announced?”
”You knoell as I do I could be, because I am of the Blood;” and she still looked puzzled
”I never could remember all these silly rules,” said I, rather feebly, as I inwardly cursed Fritz for not postingopen the door, and advanced into the ante-roo at a table, a heavy frown on his face Everyone else was standing, save that i easily in an ara He leapt up as I entered, with a deferential alacrity that lent point to his for that the dukeFritz
I held out my hand, Michael took it, and I embraced him Then I drew him with me into the inner room
”Brother,” I said, ”if I had known you were here, you should not have waited ayou to her”
He thanked me, but coldly The s A er could have seen that he hated me, and hated worse to see me with Princess Flavia; yet I as, and, further, that he tried to persuadeI did not know, of course; but, unless the King were an ian to think so of myself in that role), Michael could not believe that And, if he didn't, how hemy ”Michael” and my ”Flavia!”
”Your hand is hurt, sire,” he observed, with concern
”Yes, I was playing a ga” (I meant to stir him), ”and you know, brother, such have uncertain tempers”
He smiled sourly, and his dark eyes rested on er from the bite?” cried Flavia anxiously
”None froave him a chance to bite deeper, it would be different, cousin”
”But surely he has been destroyed?” said she
”Not yet We're waiting to see if his bite is harmful”