She took first a little of the liquid, and immediately after swallowed one of the white pellicles she had given Maurice.
"It will be as well," she said, "when the Prince's wiseacre physicians come, that they should find another sickening of the same disease."
Thora of Bornholm passed about the couch and took up a waiting-maid's station some way behind.
"All is ready," she said softly.
"We will forestall them," answered the Princess. "Thora, send and bid Prince Louis come hither quickly."
"And shall I also ask him to send hither his most skilled doctors of healing?" added the girl. "I will despatch Johannes Rode. He will go quickly and answer as I bid him with discretion—and without asking questions."
And with the noiseless tread peculiar to most blonde women of large physique, Thora disappeared through the private door by which she had entered.
The Princess Margaret kneeled down by the couch and looked into the face of the Sparhawk. Even she who had seen the wonder was amazed and almost frightened by the ghastly effect the drug had wrought in such short space.
"You are sure that you do not feel any ill effects—you are perfectly well?" she said, with tremulous anxiety in her voice.
The Sparhawk smiled and nodded reassuringly up at her.