"Oh, I wish you hadn't done this, Baldos," cried Beverly,
panic-stricken.
"You have threatened my life. I shall not forget it, fool. Here is the
precious note, your highness, with my condolences to the writer."
Marlanx passed the note to her and then looked triumphantly at the
guard. "I daresay you have done all you can, sir. Do you wish to add
anything more?"
"What can one do when dealing with his superior and finds him a
despicable coward?" said Baldos, with cool irony. "You are reputed to be
a brave soldier. I know that to be false or I would ask you to draw the
sword you carry and--" He was drawing his sword as he spoke.
"Baldos!" implored Beverly. Her evident concern infuriated Marlanx. In
his heart he knew Baldos to be a man of superior birth and a foeman not
to be despised from his own station. Carried away by passion, he flashed
his sword from its sheath.
"You have drawn on me, sir," he snarled. "I must defend myself against
even such as you. You will find that I am no coward. Time is short for
your gallant lover, madam."
Before she could utter a word of protest the blades had clashed and they
were hungry for blood. It was dark in the shadows of the trees and the
trio were quite alone with their tragedy. She heard Baldos laugh
recklessly in response to Marlanx's cry of: "Oh, the shame of fighting with such carrion as you!"
"Don't jest at a time like this, count," said the guard,
softly. "Remember that I lose, no matter which way it goes. If you kill
me I lose, if I beat you I lose. Remember, you can still have me shot
for insubordination and conduct unbecoming--"
"Stop!" almost shrieked Beverly. At risk of personal injury she rushed
between the two swordsmen. Both drew back and dropped their points. Not
a dozen passes had been made.
"I beg your highness's pardon," murmured Baldos, but he did not sheathe
his sword.
"He forced it upon me," cried Marlanx triumphantly. "You were witness to
it all. I was a fool to let it go as far as this. Put up your sword
until another day--if that day ever comes to you."
"He will have you shot for this, Baldos," cried Beverly in her
terror. Baldos laughed bitterly.
"Tied and blindfolded, too, your highness, to prove that he is a brave
man and not a coward. It was short but it was sweet. Would that you had
let the play go on. There was a spice in it that made life worth living
and death worth the dying. Have you other commands for me, your
highness?" His manner was so cool and defiant that she felt the tears
spring to her eyes.