Part 55 (1/2)
He followed her into the roo hiht, Countess, I entered Sturatzberg by a way you know of, doubtless, to hear two things One that Princess Maritza had been rescued and brought to your house; the other that you were a traitress”
Frina started, but Ellerey went on quickly--
”Hear me to the end Heaven knows I aht this tale of you came from the palace Why you should have been spied upon I neither know nor care; but every word you said to the King last night was heard, and out of thereed to betray to his Majesty all those who favor the cause of Princess Maritza No; hear me out, Countess; I swore it was a lie Petrescu, Stefan, and I caether Do you know, Countess, that this house is surrounded, watched by the King's troops? Every way of entrance that the Baron kneas guarded, and only after long waiting have we et in unseen
What does it mean? Is the Princess trapped? If she is, who has betrayed her?”
She was silent, but her eyes did not fall before his
”For heaven's sake, speak, Countess!”
”The tale is untrue,” she said in a low voice, ”and yet--”
”Yes, yes; tell ed my honor; trample on it if you will, only tell me the truth now”
”I have been tempted,” she said ”Yes, you shall hear the truth I have been tempted, perhaps even I have stumbled, but I have not fallen
I am a woman first, then a conspirator, and I have had many idle hours
Look into e 's words seemed for a moment to help my decision
I did not pro”
”To gain tiain time,” said Ellerey
”No; I think when I promised I had almost decided to act”
”Ah, how could you!” Ellerey exclaimed
”You have heard the story; were you told the bribe the King offered?”
Ellerey did not answer, but Frina understood in a moment that he did know
”Yes, Captain Ellerey, that tee, and I saw that for me only one road lay open I have taken it Maritza is in a roo suspects me He has surrounded my house with soldiers; presently they will hammer at my closed doors, and I shall stay to face theo with her She would stay in Sturatzberg to fight with those who love her cause; only you can persuade her to go Do you understand, only you? Go now and wake her
Hannah has the key of that secret way If inthat I have power in Sturatzberg, that I have knowledge of this conspiracy and the conspirators, I have opened the way of escape too I a's wrath Go to Maritza, and think less hardly of me”
Ellerey stood with lowered head, his hands pressed before his face
”What can I say, Countess? God has brought into my life two noble women I am powerless to help the one; to the other it seeiven sorrow”
”You must not say that,” she said softly ”You are powerful to help her and to counsel her As for me, I am a oman; if fault there was it was iven--to Maritza She expects you I told her I would send you”
The door was suddenly burst open and Stefan entered