She was studying me. “You have seen Annabel, I suppose?” she inquired.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“And talked with her?”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“You—were glad—to see each other?”
“Very, your Majesty.”
“She is as lovely as ever?”
“Quite, your Majesty.”
She examined the splendid jewel in the head of her sword-hilt, looked up with a composed face, and demanded that I tell her what had happened. I did so, and she beamed, forgetting Annabel.
“I’ll take the army to the clearing,” she said, “put a stop to the nonsense, and send the people home.”