Part 40 (1/2)
”To the lodge I e matters with him”
I did not understand what plan he had in his head, or what scheme he could contrive But at the moment my ht before my eyes
”And the queen?” I whispered in answer to him
Low as my voice was, she heard it She turned to us with a sudden, startled a's hand Her eyes searched our faces, and she knew in an instant of e had been speaking A little longer still she stood, gazing at us Then she suddenly sprang forward and threw herself on her knees before Rudolf, her hands uplifted and resting on his shoulders She forgot our presence, and everything in the world, save her great dread of losing hiain! Rudolf, I can't bear it again”
Then she dropped her head on his knees and sobbed
He raised his hand and gently stroked the gleaarden, which grew dark and dreary in the gathering glooht set and his face pale and drawn
I watched him for a moment, then I dreife away, and we sat down at a table some way off From outside still came the cheers and tumult of the joyful, excited crowd Within there was no sound but the queen's stifled sobbing Rudolf caressed her shi+ning hair and gazed into the night with sad, set eyes She raised her head and looked into his face
”You'll break my heart,” she said
CHAPTER XIX FOR OUR LOVE AND HER HONOR
RUPERT of Hentzau was dead! That was the thought which, a with it a wonderful relief
To those who have not learnt in fighting against hins, it may well seem incredible that his death should breed comfort at a moment when the future was still so dark and uncertain Yet tomyself to the conviction that we had done with him True, he was dead; but could he not strike a blow at us even froulf?
Such were the half-superstitious thoughts that forced their way intoout on the crohich obstinately encircled the front of the palace I was alone; Rudolf ith the queen, , Bernenstein had sat down to a meal for which I could find no appetite By an effort I freed myself from my fancies and tried to concentrate ed round with difficulties To solve the lay I had no desire to find means by which Rudolf Rassendyll should escape unknown froain in death the king, and the queen be left desolate on her ht be that a brain ination would have none of it, but dwelt lovingly on the reign of hiive the kingdom such a ruler would be a splendid fraud, and prove a stroke so bold as to defy detection Against it stood only the suspicions of Mother Holf--fear or e of Bauer; Bauer's mouth also could be shut, ay, and should be before ere many days older My reverie led me far; I saw the future years unroll before nty It seemed to h, fate, for once penitent, was but righting thewhile I stood thus, ; I was roused by the sound of the door opening and closing; turning, I saw the queen She was alone, and came towards me with timid steps She looked out for a moment on the square and the people, but drew back suddenly in apparent fear lest they should see her Then she sat down and turned her face towardsof the conflict of emotions which possessed her; she seemed at once to deprecate entle to her fault and kind to her happiness; self-reproach shadowed her joy, but the golden gleaerly at her; this would not have been her bearing had she come from a last farewell; for the radiance was there, however much dian softly, ”I aladness?”
I fear I paid little heed to her trouble, though I can understand it well enough now
”Gladness?” I cried in a low voice ”Then you've persuaded him?”
She sreed?” I staht mine, and she said in a whisper: ”Some day, not now Oh, not noould be too much But some day, Fritz, if God will not deal too hardly with me, I--I shall be his, Fritz”
I was intent on ; she did not care what he was, so that he was hers, so that he should not leave her
”He'll take the throne,” I cried triu away”
”Going away!” I could not keep the dismay out of my voice
”Yes, now But not--not for ever It will be long--oh, so long--but I can bear it, if I know that at last!” She stopped, still looking up at me with eyes that implored pardon and sympathy
”I don't understand,” said I, bluntly, and, I fear, gruffly, also