In a few moments the Prince returned, and then she moved abruptly and took the tall-backed walnut chair Mr. Herbert had occupied, pushed it from the table, and gazed up at her husband.
He had still the two letters in his hand. He looked at Mary. With the departure of the Englishman his manner had entirely changed; this was very noticeable, though he said nothing.
"You are fatigued," said Mary in a shaking voice, "so fatigued—I know——"
He cast the letters down between them.
"Oh, silly!" he answered, "that must be always thinking of my fatigues!"
He put his thin hand over hers, that rested on the edge of the table, and gave an excited little laugh.
"Thou hast heard this man, Mary.... I think I am pledged to an extraordinary task."
CHAPTER VII
THE SILENT WOOD
Mary answered simply, but with a dreadful force of emotion—