Page:Anthony Hope - Rupert of Hentzau.djvu/56

 and the need for exertion acted on him like a draught of good wine on a seasoned drinker. He was not only himself, but more than himself, his excellencies enhanced, the indolence that marred him in quiet hours sloughed off. But to-day there was something more; I can describe it only as a kind of radiance. I have seen it on the faces of young sparks when the lady they love comes through the ballroom door, and I have seen it glow more softly in a girl's eyes when some fellow, who seemed to me nothing out of the ordinary, asked her for a dance. That strange gleam was on Rudolf's face as he stood by my bedside. I daresay it used to be on mine when I went courting.

"Fritz, old friend," said he, "there's an answer from Sapt. I'll lay the telegraph offices were stirred at Zenda as well as James stirred them here in Wintenberg. And what do you think? Rischenheim asked for an audience before he left Strelsau."

I raised myself on my elbow in the bed.

"You understand?" he went on. "He left on Monday. To-day's Wednesday. The King has granted him an audience at four on Friday. Well, then——"

"They counted on success," I cried, "and Rischenheim takes the letter!"

"A copy, if I know Rupert of Hentzau. Yes, it was well laid. I like the men taking all the cabs. How much ahead had they now?"