"Say it!"
"That I had not been--offended!" she gasped, standing stiff and straight, with eyes glued upon the obedient guard.
"You were not?" he rapturously cried.
"I said it only to save your life!" she cried, turning fiercely upon him. "I shall never forgive you! Never! You must go--you must leave here at once! Do you hear? I cannot have you near me now--I cannot see you again. Ach, God! What have I given you the right to say of me?"
"Stop! It is as sacred as--"
"Yes, yes--I understand! I trust you, but you must go! Find some excuse to give your friend and go to-day! Go now!" she cried, intensely, first putting her hands to her temples, then to her eyes.
Without waiting to hear his remonstrance, if indeed he had the power to utter one, she glided swiftly toward the curtains, allowing him to follow at his will. Dazed and crushed at the sudden end to everything, he dragged his footsteps after. At the door she spoke in low, imperative tones to the motionless Allode, who dropped to his knees and muttered a reverential response. As Lorry passed beneath the hand that held the curtain aside, he glanced at the face of the man who had been witness to their weakness. He was looking straight ahead, and, from his expression, it could not have been detected that he knew there was a man on earth save himself. In the hall she turned to him, her face cold and pale.
"I have faithful guards about me now. Allode has said he did not see you in the throne room. He will die before he will say otherwise," she said, her lips trembling with shame.
"By your command?"
"By my request. I do not command my men to lie."
Side by side they passed down the quiet hall, silent, thoughtful, the strain of death upon their hearts.
"I shall obey the only command you have given, then. This day I leave the castle. You will let me come again--to see you? There can be no harm--"
"No! You must leave Graustark at once!" she interrupted, the tones low.
"I refuse to go! I shall remain in Edelweiss, near you, just so long as I feel that I may be of service to you."
"I cannot drive you out as I would a thief," she said, pointedly.
At the top of the broad staircase he held out his hand and murmured: "Good-by, your Highness!"
"Good-by," she said, simply, placing her hand in his after a moment's hesitation. Then she left him.
An hour later the two Americans, one strangely subdued, the other curious, excited and impatient, stood before the castle waiting for the carriage. Count Halfont was with them, begging them to remain, as he could see no reason for the sudden leave-taking. Lorry assured him that they had trespassed long enough on the Court's hospitality, and that he would feel much more comfortable at the hotel. Anguish looked narrowly at his friend's face, but said nothing. He was beginning to understand.