"God help her, then," said I, with involuntary fervor.
My companion started and looked at me.
"Do you know——"
"I know nothing," I replied very curtly. "These are no concerns of mine. But I can read a face." He looked at me searchingly, but I had taken my watch out and was playing with the guard. "This Prince seems a devil of a long time sending for me. If he keeps me much longer I shall lose my train back."
I spoke indifferently, and threw myself into a chair to think.
I sat a long time buried in these old rustled reflections, until the chain of thought was snapped abruptly, and I sprang to my feet as a great cry ran through the castle, and the sound of a woman's sobbing.
"What's that?" I asked of the man with me, who had changed color and was manifestly disturbed.
"I don't understand it," he said, after a long pause, during which he went and stood by the door, as if doubting whether I might try to leave.
The sounds of confusion in the castle increased. Servants were hurrying in all directions; but no one came to us.
Later on the toll of a heavy bell sounded with vibrating echoes through the hot, heavy, sleepy air. A minute after it was repeated; and before the sound had died away the elder of the two men came back into the room. He was deadly pale, and so agitated that his voice trembled. He approached me and bowed with signs of deep respect.