The excitement died from her face in a moment, she drew back from him in deadly fear.
"My liege--my liege--not so--it cannot be--for pity sake, my liege."
"Cannot?" he echoed with an exultant laugh. "Wherefore can it not be. Am I not the King?"
"It is because the Most High is the King" she began--"Remember, my liege--the death warrant."
He had forgotten it; but he passed rapidly to the desk whereon it lay.
"That is easy remedied," said he seizing on it and making as if he would tear it up.
"Hold!" she cried peremptorily.
"Wherefore?" he asked as peremptorily.
She drew herself up to her full height. "Because I am keeper of the King's honour, and I forbid it."
"Again, wherefore?" Checked in his immediate intention his temper rose.