Part 51 (2/2)
”That would indeed be impossible I am honored, doubly so, if you will take my hand in the dance”
It was a set dance, stately in its race of the wo's movements, who danced but seldo thanked her as he led her to a seat when the dance was over
It was in the alcove where she had so often sat with Ellerey, and the coincidence ihter ti ”The Princess Maritza will enter Sturatzberg--a prisoner--to-morrow”
”So I have heard, your Majesty”
”And you loyally rejoice with us, Countess?”
The question was so 's voice that Frina Mavrodin was on her guard in a moment ”She is a woman, your Majesty, and, since I am no politician, I pity the woman”
”I am not without pity, either, Countess,” was the answer ”The Princess has been ill-advised, and the onus lies with those who have advised and supported her It is upon thehtly fall”
”And who are they?” asked the Countess
”That is a question to which there is no co ”There is only one I can na who could answer the question, so I am informed, and so I believe”
”And he will not answer?”
”She has not yet been asked,” the King returned
”A woman, your Majesty?”
”A very beautiful woman; yourself, Countess”
Perhaps Frina Mavrodin was prepared for the King's words She did not start, the color did not rise to her cheeks She re's eyes were fixed upon her
”I can guess as your Majesty's informant,” she said quietly ”Lord Cloverton He has always credited me with a power I do not possess, and has often set traps for me They were subtly hidden, well devised to catch a sche innocent, they failed to ensnare me”
”We ourselves have eyes, Countess; it is not necessary that the British Ambassador should see for us”
”No, your Majesty; but we, the Court, sometimes fancy that he attempts to take that duty upon himself,” Frina answered
”Then you will not helpwith a smile
”In any way I can, your Majesty”
”But not in the way I want It is a pity You will force me to harsh measures There is one other I may constrain to tell me, unless he values his secret more than life”
Frina looked at hiave it no words
”A brave h circuht save him”
Still Frina was silent
”Probably Captain Ellerey will not speak, therefore it is certain that Captain Ellereyslowly