He reached over and flung back her robe.
“Then why are you still dressed and waiting up for her? Don’t lie to me, girl; where is Her Highness?”
“Monsieur doubts me?”
The Archduke made an angry gesture.
“Go to her—say I must speak with her at once.”
“Wake the Regent! I dare not, sir.”
He pushed her aside and went on into the next room. She sprang after, and caught his hand.
“Your Highness!” she cried, “you would not!—you would not!”
He seized her by the arm. “You little fool! the truth—the truth—if your mistress isn’t here, she is in awful peril—may be dead.” He shook her almost fiercely. “The truth, I say, the truth!”
With a cry the girl sank to the floor.