“Where is he now?” the Princess asked.
“At Ferida Palace—he went there last night and has not left it since.”
“I think I want him at the Council,” she said; “Colonel Moore, will you and Colonel Bernheim please go and summon him; then follow us at once; and do you, my dear Count, come to me as soon as the Ministers have assembled.”
The brougham flashed away, and the Archduke drew down the blinds.
Dehra gave a satisfied little sigh and sank back in the corner.
“We seem to have beaten him,” she said; “we shall have the first look into the box.”
Armand put his arm around her, and drew the fair head to his shoulder.
“I have already beaten him,” he said—“we fought first, for you, little girl. A fig for the box, and the Book and the Crown!”
At the gate of the Park the Princess signaled to halt, and raised the blind.
“Who of the Royal Council have arrived?” she asked the officer on duty.