All of
which talk made, as may be supposed, a mighty excitement: and the wires
were set in motion, and the tidings came to Strelsau only just after
orders had been sent thither to parade the troops and overawe the
dissatisfied quarters of the town with a display of force.
Thus the Princess Flavia came to Zenda. And as she drove up the hill,
with the Marshal riding by the wheel and still imploring her to return
in obedience to the King's orders, Fritz von Tarlenheim, with the
prisoner of Zenda, came to the edge of the forest. I had revived from
my swoon, and walked, resting on Fritz's arm; and looking out from the
cover of the trees, I saw the princess. Suddenly understanding from a
glance at my companion's face that we must not meet her, I sank on my
knees behind a clump of bushes. But there was one whom we had forgotten,
but who followed us, and was not disposed to let slip the chance of
earning a smile and maybe a crown or two; and, while we lay hidden,
the little farm-girl came by us and ran to the princess, curtseying and
crying:
"Madame, the King is here--in the bushes! May I guide you to him,
madame?"
"Nonsense, child!" said old Strakencz; "the King lies wounded in the
Castle."
"Yes, sir, he's wounded, I know; but he's there--with Count Fritz--and
not at the Castle," she persisted.
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