“And the force at my command?” asked Danaë sharply.
“This regiment, which you have saved for his Highness, as I saw by means of the Palace telescope. The Klaustra police, since you vouch for their loyalty. And as a reserve the Guard, but that must be kept to garrison the Palace unless the necessity elsewhere is overwhelming.”
“And what support is to be expected?”
“The Ministers and officials will rally round you when they learn that the news of the Prince’s death is false. At present they are afraid of becoming marked men if they take any decisive steps. My husband is preparing two documents for his Highness’s signature at the earliest possible moment, one constituting you colonel of the cavalry regiment, the other—to be used only in case of necessity—proclaiming martial law in the city.”
“It is well. Let him telephone to the various Ministries that if the mob do not scatter, they will be dispersed by cavalry,” said Danaë resolutely. Then her eyes fell on Armitage’s white face, and her courage failed. “Lord,” she said, riding close to the side of the carriage again, “you hear that they want me to fight for my brother and Janni, when I would fain be tending you? Must I go?” She spoke in a low voice.
“Yes—if it is to save Emathia,” he answered feebly.
“I hate the wife of Panagiotis!” was the inconsequent reply. “Lord, if I must go, give me your wedding-ring. I had to use mine as a token. There was nothing else.”
Armitage took off the ring, and put it upon the finger she held out. “If I could go with you I would, but I should only hamper you,” he said. “But don’t be rash, or I shall come and fetch you.”
There were tears in Danaë’s eyes, but perceiving that this was a joke, she smiled dutifully and unwillingly. Stooping from the saddle, she caught up her husband’s hand and kissed it fiercely, then commended him by a gesture to the care of Madame Panagiotis, and turned back to her soldiers. The messenger whom she had despatched was just returning.
“Lady, it is done as you commanded, and here are the keys. But there is fighting in the city, and no orders have come to the troops or the police from the Palace.”