“My husband would say what is right,” she replied. “He would know better how to talk to you than I do!”
He had insensibly drawn nearer to her as he spoke; meanwhile Von Glauben, with a disconsolate air, had joined Sir Roger de Launay, who, by an enquiring look and anxious uplifting of his eyebrows, dumbly asked what was to be the upshot of this affair,—only to receive a dismal shake of the head in reply.
“Possibly I know your husband,” went on the King, anxious to continue conversation with so beautiful a creature. “If I do, and he is in my personal service, he shall not lack promotion! Will you tell me his name?”
A startled look came into the girl’s eyes, and a deep blush swept over her fair cheeks.
“I dare not!” she said;—“He has forbidden me!”
“Forbidden you!” The King recoiled a step—a vague suspicion rankled in his mind. “Then, though your King asks you a friendly question, you refuse to answer it?”
Von Glauben here gripped Sir Roger so fiercely by the arm, that the latter nearly cried out with pain.
“She must not tell,” he muttered—“She must not—she will not!”
But Gloria was looking straight at her Royal questioner.
“I have no King but my husband!” she said firmly. “I have sworn before God to obey him in all things, and I will not break my vow!”