Nightfall brought General Marlanx in from the camps outside the
gates. He came direct to the castle and boldly sent word to Beverly that
he must speak to her at once. She promptly answered that she did not
want to see him and would not. Without a moment's hesitation he appealed
for an audience with the princess, and it was granted.
He proceeded, with irate coolness, to ask how far she believed herself
bound to protect the person of Baldos, the guard. He understood that she
was under certain obligations to Miss Calhoun and he wanted to be
perfectly sure of his position before taking a step which now seemed
imperative. Baldos was a spy in the employ of Dawsbergen. He had
sufficient proof to warrant his arrest and execution; there were
documents, and there was positive knowledge that he had conferred with
strangers from time to time, even within the walls of the castle
grounds. Marlanx cited instances in which Baldos had been seen talking
to a strange old man inside the grounds, and professed to have proof
that he had gone so far as to steal away by night to meet men beyond the
city walls. He was now ready to seize the guard, but would not do so
until he had conferred with his sovereign.
"Miss Calhoun tells me that you have made certain proposals to her,
Count Marlanx," said Yetive coldly, her eyes upon his hawkish face.
"I have asked her to be my wife, your highness."
"You have threatened her, Count Marlanx."
"She has exposed herself to you? I would not have told what I saw last
night."
"Would it interest you to know that I saw everything that passed on the
balcony last night? You will allow me to say, general, that you have
behaved in a most outrageous manner in approaching my guest with such
foul proposals. Stop, sir! She has told me everything and I believe
her. I believe my own eyes. There is no need to discuss the matter
further. You have lost the right to be called a man. For the present I
have only to say that you shall be relieved of the command of my
army. The man who makes war on women is not fit to serve one. As for
Baldos, you are at liberty to prefer the charges. He shall have a fair
trial, rest assured."
"Your highness, hear me," implored Marlanx, white to the roots of his
hair.
"I will hear what you have to say when my husband is at my side."
"I can but stand condemned, then, your highness, without a hearing. My
vindication will come, however. With your permission, I retire to
contrive the arrest of this spy. You may depose me, but you cannot ask
me to neglect my duty to Graustark. I have tried to save him for Miss
Calhoun's sake--" But her hand was pointing to the door.