"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."
"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.