"But your Highness cannot sign it with any other."
"Then I will not sign it at all."
"I greatly fear that your Highness will live to regret this clemency."
"Be it so."
The first glow of Barbara's anger had passed, and she listened to the voice of prudence. Though the duke richly merited death, yet his execution without trial would give the Czar a very convenient pretext for intervening in the affairs of Czernova.
"By shooting the duke I make the Czar the heir to my crown," said Barbara. "By retaining him alive I may be able to make use of his person as a pawn on the political chessboard. Imprisonment will be the wiser course. Remove the duke to the Citadel."
And inasmuch as the marshal recognized Barbara as his princess, he had of necessity to obey.
When Zabern had seen the duke securely lodged in a cell of the Citadel, he returned to the White Saloon, where Barbara still lingered, wrapt in melancholy thought.
"Your Highness, on entering the palace this note was put into my hands."
Barbara glanced at the missive and saw that it contained the following words: "Marshal, will you accord the bearer of this an interview with the princess?—Paul Woodville."