He put the diadem aside.
"It is not a crown I want, Barbara, but your own sweet self."
"And you have me, Paul," she said, kissing him affectionately. "Nothing but death shall part us. And now," she continued, quitting his arms with reluctance, "we must put on our masks and play our parts, for I am about to summon the chamberlain."
On the appearance of Silver Staff, Barbara said,—
"Call the marshal to our presence."
Zabern was soon found. On entering he glanced keenly at Paul's face as if expecting to gain from it some idea of the character of his long interview with the princess; but Paul, when he chose, could be as inscrutable as Zabern himself, and his face revealed nothing.
"What news of Russakoff?" asked the princess.
"Your Highness, I regret to say that the spy is still at large."
"The ruffians of Russograd, who slew Trevisa because he was an Englishman and loyal to me, shall find that they have gained little by their deed, for I herewith replace him by an Englishman equally as loyal. Marshal, my new secretary."
Zabern bowed and answered like a courtier.