"Your Highness," she replied, looking Rob squarely in the eyes, "this is my wretched nephew."
With a bitter look of mortification and fury, Rob turned his back on them.
"Vas 'e in arms against ze throne?" asked the Duke.
"He was all that," she replied grimly, and Strange rubbed his hands with joy. This was beyond all expectation.
"But, madam," went on the Duke, "you know vot zis means." He was evidently puzzled by her equanimity.
"Thrawn necks are too common at present to be overlooked," she replied drily.
He nodded, understanding her dimly.
"Zen dere is noding more to be said," he remarked, and said something in Strange's ear, who touching Rob upon the shoulder led him away to his cell, where he was left to his own dismal thoughts.
Returning, Strange begged Miss Macpherson to be seated, and again whispered into the Duke's ear, who nodded from time to time, and smiled sleepily.
"As you vill, Strange," he said, and rising, withdrew.