Part 57 (1/2)
”Which way now?” she asked
”To safety,” said Stefan
”While others fight and fall?” she said
”So the Captain willed it”
”I will go no further toward safety--not yet Time for that when the day is lost Our way lies there” And she pointed in the direction from which the roar of battle came
”Countess, I have my orders”
”And have obeyed theht, lies the Grande Place Lead me there by the quietest e can travel”
”That is to go to your death”
”Listen, Stefan--and look!” She pointed to the street into which the alley opened So swiftly to the battle ”I have but to cry my name and they will come to me Shall I cry?”
”For heaven's sake, Countess---”
”Then lead me as I say”
”I cannot I dare not The Captain---”
”Follow me then if you will” And before he could stop her she had darted fro after her ”Stay! If you will go, let me lead you”
”Show ued, though he tried to deceive her at every corner they came to, she would not be turned frorew louder in their ears, and there was fear in the heart of Stefan the soldier because of the woman alked beside him
Francois was dead That was one enen It had been as wakeful a night for Jules de Froilette as it had been for Frina Mavrodin, but he had spent it in no restless pacing up and down, nor in listening for expected footsteps Francois he kneas prowling about the streets In the early hours of thethe servant had come hastily and told his master of the rescue of Princess Maritza De Froilette had turned pale and dropped back in his chair, dumbfounded at the news, but he quickly recovered hiht be so, but her re-capture was certain Francois had neither heard nor seen anything of Captain Ellerey, but he was sure to coain in search of him
Jules de Froilette spent his ti an ireater care and hesitating over it At intervals he leaned back in his chair and reot up and went to a side table on which stood the portrait of Queen Elena
”If Ellerey were out of the e h yet,” he mused
”I wonder what has becoht save the situation, or the Queen , and then who is there to protect her butHe expected Francois to return with further news, but the servant did not corew noisy at an earlier hour than usual
The fact ain
The news that the Princess had escaped was spreading--that was natural, and with the town in an uproar, rebellion in the air, there werefor it and expecting it hourly during the last few days Had he not for a long ti rebellion, a revolt that should set hi hi him love? Was not his house at this moment full of men to whoands to seize the city, and then in their turn be quelled and crushed by Russia, whose ar the word frolish ht be compelled to fly for safety They were rebels, and would be quick to see treachery in any failure when they had not even been given the chance to strike a blow for success
Presently a servant brought him coffee and some rolls
”The city is noisy,” De Froilette said
”Yes,chiefly?”
”Toward the Southern Gate they say, monsieur; but the soldiers are everywhere”