A volley of cheers from without drowned her voice. It could only be the soldiers, and yet it was such an extraordinary thing, and with the Field-Marshal, himself, within sound, that the two men looked at each other in puzzled surprise; and when the noise not only continued but actually grew louder, the Archduke frowned and went to the window.
And what he saw made him frown still more, and he swore softly to himself, as a man does, sometimes, when unpleasantly surprised and obliged to think quickly, and to act on the thinking, with a heavy penalty awaiting a mistake.
Crossing the courtyard, with Hertz and Purkitz walking on either side, were the Regent of Valeria and Mlle. d’Essoldé. And even as Armand stood there, they were out of saddle and Dehra was running lightly up the steps.
“Send Scartman to us in the big room, if you please, Captain,” she called—then stopped, her eyes fixed on two horses standing a little way off—a Field-Marshal’s insignia on the saddle cloth of one and a Colonel’s of her Household on the other. So! so! and they were too busy with appointments at four to ride with them. She caught Mlle. d’Essoldé by the arm.
“Look, Elise!” she said, “look at those saddle cloths yonder.”
The Archduke followed her motion, and understood. It was a most infernally unfortunate contretemps, but it would have to be met, and at once.
“The Regent is on the porch,” he said. “I do not care for her to know of this meeting nor its purport, until after to-night. Madame, will you please be good enough to conceal yourself; the door is the only exit, and it is impossible now—I will try to prevent Her Highness entering here, but I may fail; I likely shall. Come, Moore,” and he hurried out.
But Madeline Spencer only laughed, and, winding the veil into place, went and stood by the chimney—here was a very god-given opportunity, and assuredly she had no notion to let it pass unused.
And the landlord, slumbering in the hall, had been tardily aroused by the cheering, and coming forth, still half asleep, he met the Princess just at the entrance.
“Scartman,” she said sharply, “where are His Highness and Colonel Moore?”