Part 39 (2/2)

”Don't worry, dear,” she said, ”I'm going simply to see the Book; I shall not even speak without permission-you are in command, not I;” and she found his hand, and held it; rather sorry now that she had ordered her Adjutant inside with them, when he was about to mount his horse to follow.

”Will there be others with us?” she asked, presently.

”Yes, Captain De Coursey and Lieutenant Marsov, of the Cuira.s.siers; both guaranteed by Colonel Moore to be skillful swordsmen, and friendly to me as against Lotzen.”

”And besides,” the Adjutant added, ”devoted to an adventure, and in discretion unsurpa.s.sed.”

”Will you tell them who I am?” she asked.

The Archduke hesitated.... ”No, not unless it becomes necessary; it would only make them unduly nervous; but if trouble come, they must know.”

”I can protect myself, a little while,” said she, slapping her sword in laughing bravado; though indeed she was very clever with the foils.

To her quick eye and natural talent had been added years of careful training under expert maitres; for, to Frederick, she was both son and daughter, and he had encouraged her in everything that went to strengthen body or mind. Yet she was so very modest about it, that only very lately had even Armand known of her proficiency; and now, he regularly put on the mask and plastron with her, and had her present when Moore and he were practicing.

”And for more than a little while,” the Archduke replied; ”and if you do have to draw, try to forget you're fencing with pointed weapons, and bear in mind only that you must not be touched.”

She leaned closer to him.

”Goodness Armand, you make me afraid,” she said, with a little s.h.i.+ver; ”I don't want to fight any one.”

”Please G.o.d you won't have to, dear, but if you do, remember that the surest way to save your life is to take the other fellow's.”

She s.h.i.+vered again. ”I shouldn't want to be a man.”

He slipped his arm around her and bent down.

”Let me send you back to the Palace, sweetheart,” he whispered-”for my sake go back.”

”It is for your sake I'm going on,” she answered, ”and-I'll kill the other fellow if I have to-but I don't want to.”

The carriage drew in to the curb and stopped. It was on a side street near the rear gate of the Ferida, and as the Archduke got out, two officers in quiet uniforms and capes, who were walking slowly along, halted, and, after a glance, came up and saluted. They were De Coursey and Marsov.

”I thank you for your attendance,” said the Archduke; and leaving it for Moore to acquaint them with as much of the business in hand as was necessary, he linked arms with the Regent and they went leisurely on; there was ample time, and they reached the entrance as the Cathedral bell rang the hour.

The great gate was closed and locked, but in it was a small one, so cleverly hidden among the frets and ornaments that the Archduke had trouble in locating it, and still more in finding the catch, which Mrs.

Spencer had engaged would not be fastened.

Across the street a number of men were loitering, and two came hastily over; but recognizing Colonel Moore, who had stepped out to meet them, they made a quick salute and were returning, when he called them back.

”It will be for you to see that we are not locked in,” he said, and following the others, who had already entered, he closed the gate behind him.

The drive ran between great oaks straight toward the house, but, a little way in, a narrow walk branched from it on either side and wound through trees and between hedges to the side gates, and thence on to the front.

Mrs. Spencer's apartments were in the wing on the right, and her instructions were to proceed by the path on that side until opposite the rear of her suite; then by another path that bisected the first, and which, crossing the driveway between the rear and side gates, led to the house and close under her windows; there, at the first small door, they were to knock.

Eleven o'clock was a very early hour at Ferida Palace, and the Archduke looked dubiously at the lighted windows and the flitting figures inside, with the music of the orchestra, in the main hall, throbbing out irregularly in bursts of rhythmic melody. It seemed rather absurd for five people to attempt a surrept.i.tious entrance into such a place; and again he urged the Princess to return at least to the carriage, and await him there; but without success; and in deep misgiving he went on.

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