Danaë stared at her. “But Emathia is in no danger!”
“We thought it lost until you brought back the cavalry to their allegiance a few minutes ago, lady. Now it is for you to finish your work, if you will.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Danaë mechanically, as she watched the soldiers making Armitage as comfortable as they could in the carriage. He was regaining a measure of consciousness, for he smiled faintly as his eyes met hers. Madame Panagiotis laid a firm hand upon the bridle.
“Lady, you must listen, and you must play the man to-day, since your husband and brother are both helpless. There is a rising in the city.”
“Against my brother? But who——?”
“Not against your brother, but a report of his death has been spread, and the forces of disorder see their opportunity. They may be led by the agents of the Theophanis family; I do not know.”
“That is absurd,” said Danaë with decision. “No one who knows them could believe it for an instant. There must be foreign treachery at work.”
“So my husband says, lady, for the danger lies in this, that any widespread rioting, involving danger to foreign property, will bring the Powers—and especially Pannonia—down on us at once. Your brother is prostrate with weakness, and the doctors dare not excite him by informing him of the rioting. Is he to rise from his sick-bed to find himself an exile, and his son without a future?”
“No!” cried Danaë. “But what is to be done? Let Professor Panagiotis come himself and take command. I know nothing of the proper measures.”
“Lady, my husband does not dare leave the Palace. Besides the doctors, he is the only person admitted to the presence of his Highness. The mob which is making a demonstration in the Place de l’Europe Unie, and threatening the government offices, must be dispersed, and the streets patrolled, and every attempt at a gathering broken up. The duty would have fallen to Milordo had he been able to undertake it, but now you are your brother’s representative.”