"Good morning," he said, extending his hand, which she did not see. She

was wondering how much he had seen and heard at midnight.

"I thought the troops were massing this morning," she said

coldly. "Don't you mass, too?"

"There is time enough for that, my dear. I came to have a talk with

you--in private," he said meaningly.

"It is sufficiently private here, Count Marlanx. What have you to say to

me?"

"I want to talk about last night. You were very reckless to do what you

did."

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"Oh, you were playing the spy, then?" she asked scornfully.

"An involuntary observer, believe me--and a jealous one. I had hoped to

win the affections of an innocent girl. What I saw last night shocked me

beyond expression."

"Well, you shouldn't have looked," she retorted, tossing her chin; and

the red feather in her hat bobbed angrily.

"I am surprised that one as clever as you are could have carried on an

amour so incautiously," he said blandly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I saw everything that occurred."

"Well, I'm not ashamed of it," obstinately. "Good-bye, Count Marlanx."

"One moment, please. I cannot let you off so easily. What right had you

to take that man into your room, a place sacred in the palace of

Graustark? Answer me, Miss Calhoun."

Beverly drew back in horror and bewilderment.

"Into my room?" she gasped.

"Let us waste no time in subterfuge. I saw him come from your window,

and I saw all that passed between you in the balcony. Love's eyes are

keen. What occurred in your chamber I can only--"

"Stop! How dare you say such a thing to me?" she fiercely cried. "You

miserable coward! You know he was not in my room. Take it back--take

back every word of that lie!" She was white with passion, cold with

terror.

"Bah! This is childish. I am not the only one who saw him, my

dear. He was in your room--you were in his arms. It's useless to deny

it. And to think that I have spared him from death to have it come to

this! You need not look so horrified. Your secret is safe with me. I

come to make terms with you. My silence in exchange for your

beauty. It's worth it to you. One word from me, you are disgraced and

Baldos dies. Come, my fair lady, give me your promise, it's a good

bargain for both."

Beverly was trembling like a leaf. This phase of his villainy had not

occurred to her. She was like a bird trying to avoid the charmed eye of

the serpent.

"Oh, you--you miserable wretch!" she cried, hoarse with anger and

despair. "What a cur you are! You know you are not speaking the truth.

How can you say such things to me? I have never wronged you--" She was

almost in tears, impotent with shame and fear.




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