"Leo," he said, "I have borne insult enough from you; one word more, one single word, and no settlement between us can be possible except by a resort to arms. If yesterday you had the right to censure me, it is forfeited to-day. I love Wanda more than you suspect, for you have not, like me, fought against an ardent passion for years, and been driven through hatred and separation and mortal peril, to the consciousness that it is stronger than yourself; but not even for Wanda's sake would I have neglected my duty and sacrificed my honor. I would not have deserted my post and the soldiers who were intrusted to me; I would not have broken my oath of allegiance. You have done all this: our mother may decide which of us deserves the opprobrious name you hurl at me."
"What is this, Leo?" cried the princess, starting up in terror. "You are here with the knowledge and consent of your uncle? You had his express permission to come to Villica? Answer me!"
The face of the young prince had been colorless, it now became crimson; not daring to meet his mother's eye, he turned in a towering passion to his brother,--
"What do you know of my duties? Why should they concern you? You belong to our enemies. I have thus far held my place at the front, and I shall be there when needed; on this very account our business demands prompt action. I have not much time for settlement with you, I must return to my soldiers in a few hours."
"You are too late," said Waldemar, coldly; "you will not find them."
Leo apparently did not understand the import of these words; he gazed bewildered at his brother as if he were speaking in a foreign tongue.
"When did you leave your command?" repeated Waldemar, and with such terrible earnestness that his brother answered him half involuntarily,--
"Yesterday afternoon."
"The attack took place in the night; your detachment is dispersed--annihilated."
A shriek broke from the lips of the young prince. He rushed upon the speaker. "It is impossible--it cannot be! You lie! You only seek to frighten me away with such tidings," he cried.