"And she has known for a week?" cried Beverly in deep chagrin.
"And the whole court has known."
"I alone was blind?"
"As blind as the proverb. Thank God, I won your love as a vagabond. I
can treasure it as the richest of my princely possessions. You have not
said that you will go to my castle with me, dear."
She leaned forward unsteadily and he took her in his eager arms. Their
lips met and their eyes closed in the ecstasy of bliss. After a long
time she lifted her lids and her eyes of gray looked solemnly into his
dark ones.
"I have much to ask you about, many explanations to demand, sir," she
said threateningly.
"By the rose that shields my heart, you shall have the truth," he
laughed back at her." I am still your servant. My enlistment is
endless. I shall always serve your highness."
"Your highness!" she murmured reflectively. Then a joyous smile of
realization broke over her face. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"Do you think your brothers will let me come to Washington, now?" he
asked teasingly.
"It does seem different, doesn't it?" she murmured, with a strange
little smile, "You will come for me?"
"To the ends of the earth, your highness."