“No; you shall butcher me here.”
A moment of terrible strain followed, and then in the room without the sounds of some confusion were heard, and an exclamation of surprise from one or two of the men there. Quick, light steps fled across to the room where we stood.
“Shut that door,” cried the General.
But the order was too late, and the Princess Christina came rushing in, her face deathly white with alarm at what she saw, while with the quickness of thought she placed herself between me and the soldiers who covered me with their muskets.
CHAPTER XX
A WARNING
The Princess looked magnificent in the fire of anger which succeeded her alarm, as she turned to the old Kolfort for an explanation.
“I presume you will scarcely order your soldiers to shoot me,” she said, facing him grandly, her eyes flashing.
I slipped my sword back into its scabbard, and the General made a peremptory sign to the Captain to withdraw his men.
We waited in silence while the order was given, and the men filed out, followed by the Captain.
“Remain in the ante-room,” said the General.