"This is the first
intimation I have had of her purpose, and to save myself from slaughter
at your hands, I hasten to say that I will not accept her sacrifice. It
were kinder in me to kill her than to marry her."
We all laughed to cover our embarrassment, and George said ruefully:
"The king, I fear, will settle the question without consulting us. De
Grammont tells me that his Majesty believes I am in London and that he
is eager to give a public entertainment on Tyburn Hill, wherein I shall
be the principal actor. Now our beloved monarch's hatred will be
redoubled, for he will suspect that I helped in the rescue to-night."
"Do you suspect him of being privy to the outrage tonight?" asked
Frances.
"I know it. There is no villainy he would not do, provided it required no
bravery," said George.
"But we must not let the king know that we suspect him," I suggested. "He
may be innocent of the crime. I shall know the truth before to-morrow
night."
"Did you see him at Merlin House?" asked George, turning to Frances.
"No," she answered. "It seems that the drivers of the coach lost their
way. The horses were poor beasts, and, owing to many halts on the road,
our progress was slow. When I first entered the house, an old woman led
me to the room in which you found me. The ropes on my wrists and ankles
had been removed soon after I left London, but I was not allowed to
remove the cloak until after the old woman had closed the door on me.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234