"Search him to see that he hath no concealed weapons," said Careless. "He shall then be taken to the Commandery, in order that his majesty may interrogate him."
"I know well what my doom will be, and am prepared for it," said Urso. "Before I am taken hence let me look for the last time upon my wife."
Careless signed to the guard to bring him forward.
Poor Mary was still lying in the chair in which she had been placed, and was tended by the hostess and a female servant, who had come into the room. A handkerchief had been bound round her arm by Careless to stanch the blood.
The prisoner gazed at her for some moments with a look of unutterable affection.
"She will live," he murmured. "Heaven be thanked I have not killed her!"
"No, thou art spared that crime," said Careless. "She is not much hurt."
Bending down, Urso kissed her pallid brow. The contact of his lips caused her to open her eyes, but on beholding him she shuddered, and immediately closed them.
With a sharp pang Urso turned away.