"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.
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