Part 18 (2/2)

The little rooht was fine, cool, and fragrant Flavia sat down, and I stood opposite her I was struggling with myself: if she had not looked at ht But suddenly, involuntarily, she gave lance of question, hurriedly turned aside; a blush that the question had ever coht her breath Ah, if you had seen her! I forgot the King in Zenda

I forgot the King in Strelsau She was a princess--and I an impostor

Do you think I remembered that? I threwWhy should I? The soft sounds of the night setto a wordless melody, as I pressedsuddenly:

”Ah! is it true? or is it only because you must?”

”It's true!” I said, in low smothered tones--”true that I love youto ances She came close to ! Then I could show you how I love you! How is it that I love you now, Rudolf?”

”Now?”

”Yes--just lately I--I never did before”

Pure triumph filled ht her round the waist

”You didn't love , as she whispered:

”It must have been your Crown I felt it first on the Coronation Day”

”Never before?” I asked eagerly

She laughed low

”You speak as if you would be pleased to hear me say 'Yes' to that,” she said

”Would 'Yes' be true?”

”Yes,” I just heard her breathe, and she went on in an instant: ”Be careful, Rudolf; be careful, dear He will be mad now”

”What, Michael? If Michael were the worst--”

”What worse is there?”

There was yet a chance for hty effort, I took my hands off her and stood a yard or tay I remember now the note of the wind in the elan, ”if I were only a private gentleman--”

Before I could finish, her hand was in mine

”If you were a convict in the prison of Strelsau, you would be roaned, ”God forgive ain:

”If I were not the King--”