Black Michael's
face had grown blacker still, and he had sworn savagely; nor was he
better pleased when young Rupert took oath that I meant to do as I
said, and turning to Madame de Mauban, wished her joy on a rival gone.
Michael's hand stole towards his sword (said Johann), but not a bit did
Rupert care; for he rallied the duke on having made a better King than
had reigned for years past in Ruritania. "And," said he, with a meaning
bow to his exasperated master, "the devil sends the princess a finer man
than heaven had marked out for her, by my soul, it does!" Then Michael
harshly bade him hold his tongue, and leave them; but Rupert must needs
first kiss madame's hand, which he did as though he loved her, while
Michael glared at him.
This was the lighter side of the fellow's news; but more serious came
behind, and it was plain that if time pressed at Tarlenheim, it pressed
none the less fiercely at Zenda. For the King was very sick: Johann had
seen him, and he was wasted and hardly able to move. "There could be no
thought of taking another for him now." So alarmed were they, that they
had sent for a physician from Strelsau; and the physician having been
introduced into the King's cell, had come forth pale and trembling, and
urgently prayed the duke to let him go back and meddle no more in the
affair; but the duke would not, and held him there a prisoner, telling
him his life was safe if the King lived while the duke desired and died
when the duke desired--not otherwise.
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