"Oh, listen to me, Sire!" she sobbed, "and do not despise my words because I am only a weak woman."
Here the small eyes of the King rested on her again, and the royal hand soothed her back to calmness by stroking her beautiful hair.
"Everything is known," she continued, "except that your Majesty has landed. If that were known all were lost. President Bagshaw has surrounded Aldershot with soldiers. There are twenty to one against the Royalists."
"But the King's name will change them;" and as he spoke George seemed really to believe his words. "When Colonel Arundel proclaims me King, as Dacre says he will—"
"Oh, Sire! Sire!" sobbed Mrs. Carey, now really touched by the vivid picture that appeared of her own treachery; "even that is known to the President—and all the soldiers who are to kill Colonel Arundel have already received his instructions!"
This precise and terrible statement staggered George, and a look of simple alarm came into his eyes.
"Then what is to be done?" he cried, in a bewildered way.
"Your Majesty must escape this night—this hour. You are not safe one moment in London; you know not who might betray you. The steam-yacht which brought you to England lies ready this moment to receive you."
George tried to think; but he could not. He walked about nervously.
"Let us have Bugbee here!" he exclaimed, with a burst of relief.