"You shall, you shall." His voice rose high in supplication. "You must hear me before it is too late."
She drew back astonished, but could not find another word to say.
"Oh, be brave, little Queen," he whispered, passionately kissing her hand.
"Gloucester!" Margaret called across the room; "hold Mr. Brand a prisoner here in this room. Let nobody come near or speak to him. Put a trustworthy man here to guard him."
The Duke selected a man, his own orderly, but the Queen looked from face to face until she saw one that she fully trusted.
"Lancaster!"
Tom of Lancaster stood forward at the salute.
"I place you on guard," said the Queen.
Then Mr. Brand went over to Lord Sydney. "Gloucester is disloyal," he whispered, "guard the Queen."
Suddenly her Majesty gave a startled cry. "You said Prince Ali was here with Mr. Brand. Where is Prince Ali?"