Putting aside her detaining grasp Alexander, his blade gleaming in his hand, advanced towards the alcove amid the screams of the two women.
With a movement, as swift as it was gentle, Wilfrid detached himself from Marie’s arms, placed her behind him, drew his own blade and assumed an attitude of defence.
“Leave this apartment to me and to the Empress!” cried Alexander, pointing with his sword the way Wilfrid should go.
“If the Empress bids me,” replied Wilfrid.
But no such bidding came from the white lips of the Empress, who had sunk half-fainting upon the seat within the alcove.
Wilfrid’s words, the Czarina’s attitude, put the finishing touches to the Emperor’s fury. With a cry of “Look to yourself!” he rushed upon the defiant Englishman, but, on the very point of making a savage lunge, he stopped short; his sabre dropped; and then, his face flushing purple and his eyes rolling in their orbits, he fell prostrate on the floor.
CHAPTER XXXII
FLIGHT
Startled at the strange turn of events the three spectators stood, staring in doubt and fear at the unconscious figure. Was this collapse the stroke of death?
Before they had time to ascertain for themselves there came an insistent knocking at the door, as of someone attracted by the screaming.