Part 27 (1/2)
”I should like to stay,” said Flavia; and I reined uish the approaching party now There came first two mounted servants in black unifore
These were followed by a car drawn by four horses: on it, under a heavy pall, lay a coffin; behind it rode ahis hat in his hand Sapt uncovered, and we stood waiting, Flavia keeping by entlemen killed in the quarrel, I expect,” she said
I beckoned to a groom
”Ride and ask whom they escort,” I ordered
He rode up to the servants, and I saw hientleman who rode behind
”It's Rupert of Hentzau,” whispered Sapt
Rupert it was, and directly afterwards, waving to the procession to stand still, Rupert trotted up to htly buttoned, and trousers He wore an aspect of sadness, and he boith profound respect Yet suddenly he smiled, and I smiled too, for old Sapt's hand lay in his left breast-pocket, and Rupert and I both guessed what lay in the hand inside the pocket
”Your Majesty asks e escort,” said Rupert ”It is rarets the unfortunate affair more than I My ordinance, which I mean to have obeyed, is witness to it”
”Poor fellow!” said Flavia softly, and I saw Rupert's eyes flash at her
Whereat I grew red; for, if I had my way, Rupert Hentzau should not have defiled her by so lance Yet he did it and dared to let admiration be seen in his look
”Your Majesty's words are gracious,” he said ”I grieve for my friend
Yet, sire, otherswe all do well to res, sire,” said Rupert, in atone; and old Sapt swore softly by my side
”It is true,” said I ”How fares my brother, my lord?”
”He is better, sire”
”I am rejoiced”
”He hopes soon to leave for Strelsau, when his health is secured”
”He is only convalescent then?”
”There remain one or two small troubles,” answered the insolent fellow, in the mildest tone in the world
”Express my earnest hope,” said Flavia, ”that they hness's wish is, huht a blush to Flavia's cheek