"Gently, gently!" I murmured."You're too soon, my boy!"His head was close to hers.I suppose he whispered to her, for I saw her point to the moat, and I heard her say, in slow and distinct tones:
"I had rather throw myself out of this window!"He came close up to the window and looked out.
"It looks cold," said he."Come, Antoinette, are you serious?"She made no answer so far as I heard; and he smiting his hand petulantly on the window-sill, went on, in the voice of some spoilt child:
"Hang Black Michael! Isn't the princess enough for him?
Is he to have everything? What the devil do you see in Black Michael?""If I told him what you say--" she began.
"Well, tell him," said Rupert, carelessly; and, catching her off her guard, he sprang forward and kissed her, laughing, and crying, "There's something to tell him!"If I had kept my revolver with me, I should have been very sorely tempted.Being spared the temptation, I merely added this new score to his account.
"Though, faith," said Rupert, "it's little he cares.He's mad about the princess, you know.He talks of nothing but cutting the play-actor's throat."Didn't he, indeed?
"And if I do it for him, what do you think he's promised me?"The unhappy woman raised her hands above her head, in prayer or in despair.
"But I detest waiting," said Rupert; and I saw that he was about to lay his hand on her again, when there was a noise of a door in the room opening, and a harsh voice cried:
"What are you doing here, sir?"
Rupert turned his back to the window, bowed low, and said, in his loud, merry tones: "Apologizing for your absence, sir.
Could I leave the lady alone?"
The newcomer must be Black Michael.I saw him directly, as he advanced towards the window.He caught young Rupert by the arm.
"The moat would hold more than the King!" said he, with a significant gesture.
"Does your Highness threaten me?" asked Rupert.
"A threat is more warning than most men get from me.""Yet," observed Rupert, "Rudolf Rassendyll has been much threatened, and yet lives!""Am I in fault because my servants bungle?" asked Michael scornfully.
"Your Highness has run no risk of bungling!" sneered Rupert.
It was telling the duke that he shirked danger as plain as ever I have heard a man told.Black Michael had self-control.
I dare say he scowled--it was a great regret to me that I could not see their faces better--but his voice was even and calm, as he answered:
"Enough, enough! We mustn't quarrel, Rupert.
Are Detchard and Bersonin at their posts?""They are, sir."
"I need you no more."
"Nay, I'm not oppressed with fatigue," said Rupert.
"Pray, sir, leave us," said Michael, more impatiently.
"In ten minutes the drawbridge will be drawn back, and I presume you have no wish to swim to your bed."Rupert's figure disappeared.I heard the door open and shut again.Michael and Antoinette de Mauban were left together.
To my chagrin, the duke laid his hand on the window and closed it.
He stood talking to Antoinette for a moment or two.
She shook her head, and he turned impatiently away.
She left the window.The door sounded again, and Black Michael closed the shutters.
