A messenger was sent, who presently came to her Majesty, finding her hurt and angry that the main guard should not be in attendance to give her welcome.
But before she appeared, Mr. Brand walked to the gangway of the yacht and in a low voice bade her commander await further orders at Tower Hill. Turning, he came back to his place in the middle of the room.
Her Majesty stood in the doorway, and to her the Duke of Gloucester made his accusation against the Master of Lyonesse, telling how he had been found in privacy with Prince Ali of Haidar, and how he had resisted arrest until she came.
Mr. Brand walked with bowed head to the Queen, and kneeling upon one knee, looked up in her face.
"My Queen," he murmured, his voice inaudible to all but her. "I am plotting to outwit a deeper treachery. Let me be prisoner here with a trusted man to guard me until you can come to-night. Send overtures to Ulster, and promise to hand me over."
"How can I believe you?" said the Queen, but her speech lacked force. How could she even pretend to distrust Brand now!
"Oh, play the part," he whispered, "so much depends."
"You have deceived me, I cannot trust you." But her voice was only a murmur without force.
"Oh, be stronger, be stronger," he pleaded, seizing her hand.
"I will not hear another word," she cried.