“But suppose we meet any of the gamekeepers? They will think it queer, to say the least, to see me riding about late at night with one of the Queen’s ladies.”
“Unless you say that Fräulein von Staubach has been summoned back to Germany by a sudden message, and that you are escorting her to the station, I don’t see what you can do; and that would leave a good deal unexplained,” said the Prince, laughing. “They are scarcely likely to stop you, and no blame can attach to you afterwards, when everything comes out. You are merely doing a friend a good turn.”
“All right, then,” said Cyril. “We shall meet again,” and he waved his hand as Prince Alexis started on his lengthy walk, while he went on to the castle.
CHAPTER XIV.
OVER THE BORDER AND AWAY.
Cyril’s appearance at so late an hour caused some surprise at Schloss Herzensruh, but his ostensible errand did not take long to perform. After receiving a promise from the high functionary to whom he delivered the jewels that they should be placed in the Princess’s hands immediately, and declining alike the King’s invitation to come in and rest and his offer of an escort through the forest, he was very soon outside the grounds again. When he had gone far enough to be out of sight of any one who might be looking after him from the porter’s lodge, he turned aside from the path, and made his way to the little door in the wall which Prince Alexis had described to him. It opened immediately at his third knock, and in the shadow behind it he saw two ladies standing, the taller of whom was unmistakably the Queen.
“I was not expecting you, Lord Cyril,” she said, but without any show of surprise.
“The Prince of Dardania has intrusted me with the honour of escorting Fräulein von Staubach over the frontier into his territory, your Majesty,” said Cyril, while the other lady giggled hysterically.
“My Sophie, control yourself,” said the Queen, with an authoritative touch on her shoulder. “You have met Lord Cyril Mortimer before, I think? I will not keep you here, in case my absence should be remarked. Lord Cyril, I may trust you?”
“I will do my best to justify the confidence which your Majesty and the Prince are reposing in me,” said Cyril. “But if you will pardon my hurrying you, I think that Fräulein von Staubach and I ought to start at once. We have a fairly long ride before us.”
“Farewell, my child!” said the Queen, pressing what struck Cyril as a very affectionate kiss on the girl’s forehead. “I shall expect to hear from you to-morrow.”