She nodded slowly.
“Yes, that is so. It would not be well that you speak first to the people with Domiloff at your elbow, but if it comes to a matter of life or death you must do it. I will send servants and horses to hasten my brother’s coming, and you must continue the personation.”
“There is an objection,” he replied, quickly. “I do not know a single word of your language, and to speak for the first time to the people in any other would do the Prince a great injury with them.”
She reflected for a moment. Then her face lit up. She pointed down the passage.
“I think,” she said, “that it would be a very good time for Prince Ughtred to disappear. You shall come with me.”
Brand hesitated.
“But, Countess,” he protested, “they will search your house. You will be accused of harbouring an impostor.”
She dismissed the idea with a gesture of superb contempt.
“The Reist House,” she assured him, “is secure against Domiloff or any of his creatures. I offer you its shelter, sir. I beg you to come with me.”
Still he hesitated. A fresh murmur arose from the swelling crowd without—footsteps were heard in the corridor—the hour struck. She laid her fingers upon his arm, and looked upward into his face.