“But he is not dying?” cried Danaë.
Madame Panagiotis blinked violently. “No, lady, far from it. His Highness is doing very well. He asked for his son—” why should he want Janni now? Danaë asked herself stupidly—“and inquired after your husband. Then he called for a paper from his desk, and displayed so much excitement that it was thought better to humour him. When it was brought he seemed satisfied, and consented to rest.”
Then Petros was right, and the paper contained his death-warrant—and possibly Danaë’s.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE MASTER OF THE SITUATION.
The cold eyes fixed upon her recalled Danaë to the present. If her own brother had doomed her to death for the wrong done in her days of ignorance, this foreign woman should see no fear in her. She summoned her innate courage and her acquired politeness to her aid.
“Welcome is the messenger who bears good news!” she said. “Truly, lady, it was good of you to bring the carriage yourself for my husband. Now we can take him to the Palace in more comfort.”
She beckoned to the men who were carrying Armitage, but as they approached the carriage, before she could slip from her saddle, Madame Panagiotis stopped her.
“Lady, may I entreat you not to dismount? There is work to be done before you return to the Palace.”
“What work could prevent me from taking care of my husband?” asked Danaë in astonishment. “You can’t mean that I should keep him here?”
“My husband bade me ask you to leave Milordo to my care, lady, and save Emathia for your brother.”