“Too dangerous to be at liberty, Countess,” I answered curtly. “It is to tell you that I have brought you here.”
“What do you mean? That you will dare——” The words died away as she read my purpose in my eyes, and the first symptom of fear I had ever seen in her showed itself, only however to be at once crushed out of sight. One of her bitter sneers followed. “So I have put my foot in a trap, you think, and your lovely Princess is but a paltry decoy. A truly royal part for the august ruler that is to be!”
“Your railing falls on unheeding ears, Countess. I have made my decision.”
“You are an ingrate, my lord the Count; and in your haste to strike at me you are forgetting the wound you do to your Princess.”
“Your insulting references will not turn me from my course,” I said shortly, my anger against her burning like a fever.
“Then shall I say you honour yourself and the woman you love by imprisoning me for discovering and revealing your love secret; and that you give proof of your courage by keeping me here that you may stay and gloat over your victim?” I saw her start as some fresh thought struck her, and she looked sharply at me and appeared to search her memory rapidly. Then she smiled the same exultant smile that I had noticed before, while a dangerous light came back to her eyes.
“I will not attempt to escape.”
“It will be useless—the house is sufficiently guarded, and we have prepared for your reception.”
“I am content if you but give me your company, for you are a man on whose feelings it is a delight to play, and should make a pleasant gaoler.”
“I shall not be your gaoler, but you will be in safe hands. I have only to warn you that any effort to escape my custody will be useless. You probably know me well enough by this time to be sure of that.”