“You have been abroad. Have you any news of my father?”
Robert shook his head.
“He is still kept close in the palace; his sword is still idle. The King has doomed many to death, but it seems that none shall die until the fool dies—and they cannot find the fool,” he added, with a grim laugh.
Perpetua looked at him with sad affection and said, earnestly, “I wish you would fly from Sicily.”
Robert answered her as earnestly, “I wish you would fly from Sicily.”
“I will not leave my father.”
“I will not leave you in danger.”
Perpetua, smiling, gently chided. “All men live in danger through each second of each minute. I do not know the color of fear.”
Robert drew a little nearer to her and spoke with a warning voice.