“Nay, thou hast destroyed me.”
“I—destroyed thee!”
“I cannot live away from thee; let me then die.”
And, in a rage of agony and disappointment, he tore the branch to atoms.
As he did so the spell was broken. The lords and ladies on the stairs moved and spoke; and one of them, pushing open the great doors, saw the knight flinging from him the remains of the cypress, and saw, also, the princess stand apart, one hand trembling before her white lips.
A moment, and there was a violent and terrible noise of swords torn quickly from their scabbards.
The princess put out her hands beseechingly for him. But ’twas useless; fifty sword points were directed at his heart. Towards them he ran fearlessly, his warrior face—the old, good face—all-powerful now.
Suddenly, a knight was beside Robert, fighting for him. Steadily this new combatant beat a way for the beleaguered knight, and at last regained for him and for himself free air and liberty.
Part V.—The Redemption.
“Bertram, thou must come with me. See, here is the cathedral; wilt thou not enter? The sanctuary is sacred, and none will dare try to move me from it. Come.”