Part 39 (1/2)
”Bah! Some wanton or other!” sneered Marlanx. ”But a pretty one, by the G.o.ds. Baldos has always shown his good taste,”
Baldos glared at him like a tiger restrained. ”Before G.o.d, you will have those words to unsay,” he hissed.
Yetive felt the slight body of the girl quiver and then grow tense.
The eyes of Baldos now were fixed on the white, drawn face of Beverly Calhoun, who stood quite alone at the top of the steps. She began to sway dizzily and he saw that she was about to fall. Springing away from the guards, he dashed up the steps to her side. His arm caught her as she swayed, and its touch restored strength to her--the strength of resentment and defiance.
”Don't!” she whispered hoa.r.s.ely.
”Have courage,” he murmured softly. ”It will all be well. There is no danger.”
”So this is the woman!” she cried bitterly.
”Yes. You alone are dearer to me than she,” he uttered hurriedly.
”I can't believe a word you say.”
”You will, Beverly. I love you. That is why I came back. I could not leave you to meet it alone. Was I not right? Let them put me into irons--let them kill me--”
”Come!” cried Colonel Quinnox, reaching his side at this instant. ”The girl will be cared for. You are a prisoner.”
”Wait!” implored Beverly, light suddenly breaking in upon her. ”Please wait, Colonel Quinnox.” He hesitated, his broad shoulders between her and the gaping crowd below. She saw with grateful heart that Yetive and Lorry were holding the steps as if against a warlike foe. ”Is she--is she your wife?”
”Good heavens, no!” gasped Baldos.
”Your sweetheart?” piteously.
”She is the sister of the man I serve so poorly,” he whispered. Quinnox allowed them to walk a few paces down the flagging, away from the curious gaze of the persons below.
”Oh, Baldos!” she cried, her heart suddenly melting. ”Is she Prince Dantan's sister?” Her hand clasped his convulsively, as he nodded a.s.sent. ”Now I _do_ love you.”
”Thank G.o.d!” he whispered joyously. ”I knew it, but I was afraid you never would speak the words. I am happy--I am wild with joy.”
”But they may shoot you,” she shuddered. ”You have condemned yourself. Oh, I cannot talk to you as I want to--out here before all these people. Don't move, Colonel Quinnox--they can't see through you. Please stand still.”
”They will not shoot me, Beverly, dear. I am not a spy,” said Baldos, looking down into the eyes of the slender boyish figure who stood beside the princess. ”It is better that I should die, however,” he went on bitterly. ”Life will not be worth living without you. You would not give yourself to the lowly, humble hunter, so I--”
”I will marry you, Paul. I love you. Can't anything be done to--”
”It is bound to come out all right in the end,” he cried, throwing up his head to drink in the new joy of living. ”They will find that I have done nothing to injure Graustark. Wait, dearest, until the day gives up its news. It will not be long in coming. Ah, this promise of yours gives me new life, new joy. I could shout it from the housetops!”
”But don't!” she cried nervously. ”How does she happen to be here with you? Tell me, Paul. Oh, isn't she a dear?”
”You shall know everything in time. Watch over her, dearest. I have lied today for you, but it was a lie I loved. Care for her if you love me. When I am free and in favor again you will--Ah!” he broke off suddenly with an exclamation. His eyes were bent eagerly on the circle of trees just beyond the parade-ground. Then his hand clasped hers in one spasmodic grip of relief. An instant later he was towering, with head bare, at the top of the steps, his hand pointed dramatically toward the trees.
Ravone, still in his ragged uniform, haggard but eager, was standing like a gaunt spectre in the sunlight that flooded the terrace. The vagabond, with the eyes of all upon him, raised and lowered his arms thrice, and the face of Baldos became radiant.
”Your highness,” he cried to Yetive, waving his hand toward the stranger, ”I have the honor to announce the Prince of Dawsbergen.”