Part 7 (1/2)
”Bernenstein is to tell hi”
”Will he believe that?”
”Why not? For his own sake he'd better believe everything”
”And if we have to kill hi would be furious”
”He's fond of his”
”True You'll be in your place in time?”
”Of course”
Rudolf Rassendyll took a turn up and down the rooht had disturbed hi in a different channel
”When we've done with this felloe must find Rupert,” said he
Rudolf started
”Rupert? Rupert? True; I forgot Of course we must,” said he confusedly
Sapt looked scornful; he knew that his companion's mind had been occupied with the queen But his remarks--if he hadseven
”He'll be here in an hour,” said he
”We're ready for hiht of action his eyes grew bright and his brow sain He and old Sapt looked at one another, and they both smiled
”Like old tiood King Rudolf”
Thus they made ready for the Count of Luzau-Rischenhei It is still a sorrow toonly by report, and had not the honor of bearing a part in it Still, her Majesty did not forget me, but remembered that I would have taken erly
CHAPTER V AN AUDIENCE OF THE KING
Having come thus far in the story that I set out to tell, I have half a mind to lay down my pen, and leave untold how froain to Zenda a fury of chance see us whither ould not, and ever driving us onwards to fresh enterprises, breathing into us a recklessness that stood at no obstacle, and a devotion to the queen and to theThe ancients held there to be a fate which would have its fill, though wouilt nor who fell innocent Thus did they blindly wrong God's providence Yet, save that we are taught to believe that all is ruled, we are as blind as they, and are still left wondering why all that is true and generous and love's own fruittears and blood Foruntold, lest a word of it should seem to stain her whom I serve; it is by her own command I write, that all may one day, in time's fullness, be truly known, and those condemn who are without sin, while they pity whose own hearts have fought the equal fight So much for her and hih her actions; we served her; hie that he was not our king The worst of what befell was not of our own planning, no, nor of our hoping It ca carelessly between a curse and a laugh; its cohtly in the net of circue and overpowering desire of which Ius with a zeal to accomplish our purpose, and to force Mr Rassendyll himself into the e chose Led by this star, we pressed on through the darkness, until at length the deeper darkness fell that stayed our steps We also stand for judgment, even as she and he So I rite; but I rite plainly and briefly, setting dohat I ive truly the picture of that ti as may be the portrait of the man whose like I have not known Yet the fear is always upon aining an understanding of horought on us, one and all, till his cause becaht, and to seat hihest duty and our nearest wish For he said little, and that straight to the purpose; no high-floords of his live infor hiht to men's hearts and woer attendance on his bidding Do I rave? Then Sapt was a raver too, for Sapt was foreht o'clock, young Bernenstein, very admirably and smartly accoutred, took his stand outside the main entrance of the castle He wore a confident air that becaer as he strolled to and fro past theto wait On the stroke of eight a gentlee drive Bernenstein, crying ”Ah, it is the count!” ran toout his hand to the young officer
”My dear Bernenstein!” said he, for they were acquainted with one another
”You're punctual,awaits you most impatiently”
”I didn't expect to find him up so soon,” remarked Rischenheim