“Oh!” she cried.
She put her clasped hands to her hot cheeks a moment.
“If we could keep him away for a month––just a month. Then perhaps I could let someone else––be––be here.”
“You mean to abdicate?”
“Yes, couldn’t I? The General told me that if I didn’t send him away at once you would all be killed; but perhaps later––when things have quieted–––”
“There will always be,” he warned, “a republic in the heart of your kingdom. The quieter––the more danger.”
General Otaballo had remained in the rear of the room doing his best to control his impatience, but now he ventured to step forward. He saluted.
“Pardon me, your Highness, but they wait to make you their Queen.”
“Don’t! Don’t!” she pleaded. “Leave me for to-day just a maid of Carlina. To-morrow–––”
“Your Majesty,” answered the General, with some severity, “to-morrow may be too late for all of us.”