“Of course, dearest,” he replied, “it shall be as you wish.” She gave him a little grateful nod and smile. “Shall I not be allowed to know why?”
Rather to his surprise Philippa did not withhold a reason. “My father,” she answered with a touch of diffidence, “has views for my future; he makes plans——”
“Is Count Zarka comprised in them?”
She laughed. “My father likes the Count better than I do. There! is not that enough, Osbert? We need only keep our secret till we leave here. In the city Count Zarka’s power will go for little.”
“I do not allow him to be omnipotent even in the forest.”
“Ah, but,” she remonstrated with fearfulness, “you do not know how great his power for evil is.”
“No more than any other man’s.”
“No, and yes,” she replied. “For he is false and unscrupulous, and lets nothing stand against his will. Osbert,” she laid her hand beseechingly on his shoulder, “you must promise not to be rash, not to offend Count Zarka. I know you are brave and care nothing for him, but your very straight-forwardness makes you no match for his methods. Promise me, dearest. You must not run into hidden danger like that.”
Impatient as he was to lay bare the mystery, he yet felt that patience was the wiser course, and he could but give his word not to come to open defiance of the Count. So the promise was given and sealed.