“None,” she replied, but in accents so low that they were scarce heard above the sound of the waves as they flowed within a few yards of them.
“All then will go well,” said the prince. “May our next merry meeting be at Dilston! where the lovely bride, as well as her noble consort, will, I am certain, give me a hearty welcome.”
“That I will, my gracious liege, most assuredly, if I am there,” she rejoined.
“If you are not there, I won't enter the castle,” said the prince. “But find you I shall—or there is no truth in man or woman.”
“Nay, my liege, I only meant that you may perchance return before the marriage has been solemnised.”
“Have I not said that it must not be delayed?” rejoined the prince. “I now lay my command upon you both to that effect, and I trust I shall not be disobeyed.”
“I will take care that your majesty's injunctions are fulfilled,” said Lady Webb.
“With that assurance I shall depart in better humour with myself than I should have done otherwise,” said the prince. “My voyage has not been altogether fruitless. If I have not succeeded in my own design I have helped a dear friend to a charming wife—and that is something.”
Just then, a flash of light was seen in the Fairway, and next moment the sound of a gun was heard; the loud report being echoed by the rocks behind the party.