Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/303

Rh Rischenheim began to mutter in a low thick voice, his eyes still cast down:

"Rupert persuaded me. He said the King would be very grateful, and—would give me" His voice died away, and he sat silent again, twisting his hands.

"I know—I know," she said. "But you wouldn't have listened to such persuasions if my fault hadn't blinded your eyes."

She turned suddenly to me, who had been standing all the time aloof, and stretched out her hands towards me, her eyes filled with tears.

"Yet," said she, "your wife knows, and still loves me, Fritz."

"She would be no wife of mine, if she didn't," I cried. "For I and all of mine ask no better than to die for Your Majesty."

"She knows, and yet she loves me," repeated the Queen. I loved to see that she seemed to find comfort in Helga's love. It is women to whom women turn, and women whom women fear. "But Helga writes no letters," said the Queen.

"Why, no," said I, and I smiled a grim smile. Well, Rudolf Rassendyll had never wooed my wife.

She rose, saying:

"Come, let us go to the palace."

As she rose, Rischenheim made a quick impulsive step towards her.