“I shall not retire,” he said. “Leave me alone.”
He leaned forward in his easy-chair and buried his face in his hands. Only a month ago life had seemed such a fair thing. He had been full of plans and dreams. He had envied no man in Europe. And now he seemed hemmed about with disaster. He was no longer the hero of the people. He had lost his best friend—between his counsellors and himself an ominous gulf was widening every hour. There were whispers of treason in the city, his isolation would soon become an accomplished fact. Almost his courage failed him.
The door was softly opened and closed. He looked up wearily, then sprang to his feet. It was Sara who was coming across the room towards him with outstretched hands.
“Sara.”
He took her into his arms, from which she presently escaped, and carefully disengaged herself. Already he felt better at the sight of her.
“How did you come here, Sara?” he asked.
“I used your ring,” she answered, showing it to him. “Father is in the next room.”
“Your father has been very useful,” he said. “He has been out with the engineer all day.”
She laughed.