Part 38 (1/2)
”Put your revolver on the table, then, and I'll layyour pardon,” smiled Rudolf, ”but you must lay yours down first”
”I'm to trust you, it seems, but you won't trust me!”
”Precisely You know you can trust me; you know that I can't trust you”
A sudden flush swept over Rupert of Hentzau's face There were moments when he saw, in the mirror of another's face or words, the estimation in which honorable men held him; and I believe that he hated Mr Rassendyllhis enterprise, but because he had more power than any other man to show him that picture His brows knit in a frown, and his lips shut tight
”Ay, but though you won't fire, you'll destroy the letter,” he sneered
”I know your fine distinctions”
”Again I beg your pardon You know very well that, although all Strelsau were at the door, I wouldn't touch the letter”
With an angryhis revolver on the table
Rudolf came forward and laid his by it Then he took up both, and, crossing to the mantelpiece, laid theht blaze burnt in the grate; it needed but the slightest er But he placed it carefully on the ht s: ”Now shall we resume the bout that Fritz von Tarlenheim interrupted in the forest of Zenda?”
All this while they had been speaking in subdued accents, resolution in one, anger in the other, keeping the voice in an even, deliberate lowness The girl outside caught only a word here and there; but now suddenly the flash of steel gleaave a sudden gasp, and, pressing her face closer to the opening, listened and looked For Rupert of Hentzau had taken the swords froht bow Rudolf took one, and the two assumed their positions Suddenly Rupert lowered his point The frown vanished fro tone
”By the way,” said he, ”perhaps we're letting our feelings run aith us Have youof Ruritania? If so, I'm ready to be the most faithful of your subjects”
”You honor me, Count”
”Provided, of course, that I'm one of the most favored and the richest
Come, come, the fool is dead now; he lived like a fool and he died like a fool The place is es daood law, isn't it? Take his place and his wife
You can pay my price then Or are you still so virtuous? Faith, how little some men learn from the world they live in! If I had your chance!”
”Come, Count, you'd be the last man to trust Rupert of Hentzau”
”If I made it worth his while?”
”But he's a man ould take the pay and betray his associate”
Again Rupert flushed When he next spoke his voice was hard, cold, and low
”By God, Rudolf Rassendyll,” said he, ”I'll kill you here and now”
”I ask no better than that you should try”
”And then I'll proclaim that woman for what she is in all Strelsau” A smile came on his lips as he watched Rudolf's face
”Guard yourself, my lord,” said Mr Rassendyll
”Ay, for no better than--There, man, I'm ready for you” For Rudolf's blade had touched his in warning