“Ah, who's afraid!”
The Princess was laughing softly, her eyes radiant as they met those of her companion, amused yet grave.
“Does he have a care?” she asked.
“I fear not. He loves a Countess.”
“He has not to pay the price of ambition, then?” said she, softly.
“Ambition is the cheapest article in the world,” he said. “It concerns only a man's self.”
XXVIII. THE MAID OF GRAUSTARK
Expectancy, concern, the dread of uncertainty marked the countenances of Graustark's ministers and her chief men as they sat in the council chamber on the day following, awaiting the appearance of their Princess, at whose call they were unexpectedly assembled. More than two score eyes glanced nervously toward the door from time to time.
All realized an emergency. No sooner were they out of one dilemma than another cast its prospects across their path, creating the fear that rejoicing would be short. While none knew the nature of the business that called them together, each had a stubborn suspicion that it related to the stirring declarations of the day before. Not one in that assembly but had heard the vivid, soulful sentence from the throne. Not one but wished in secret as Gaspon and Halfont had wished in open speech.