"Alas," moaned the Queen: "I see that you set a trap. After frightening the woman, you seek to rule the Queen."
"No, lady, I am not a paltry speculator. You are the first woman in whom I have found all feminine passions with all the dominant faculties of man. You can be a woman and a friend. I admire you and would serve you. I will do it without receiving aught from you—merely to study you. I will do more to show you how I serve you: if I am in the way send me forth."
"Send you hence," said she with gladness.
"But no doubt you will reflect that my power can be exercised from afar. It is true: but do not fear—I shall not employ it."
The Queen was musing, unable to reply to this strange man when steps were heard in the corridor.
"The King," she exclaimed.
"Then point out the door by which I may depart without being seen by him."
"Stay," she said.
He bowed, and remained impassible while she sought to read on his brow to what point triumph rose in him more plain than anger or disquiet.
"At least he might have shown his delight," she thought.