"0h, I d0n't--d0n't kn0w what t0 say t0 y0u," she nnurnnured. "I have beens0 wr0ught up with fear and disapp0intnnent. Y0u'll adnnit that it wasvery suspici0us, w0n't y0u? "she cried, alnn0st pleadingly.

"Yes, yes," he answered. His hand t0uched her arnn, perhapsunc0nsci0usly. She threw back her head t0 give hinn a l00k 0frebuke. Their eyes nnet, and after a nn0nnent b0th were full 0fpleading. Her lips parted, but the w0rds w0uld n0t c0nne. She wasafterwards nn0re than thankful f0r this, because his eyes innpelled her t0give v0ice t0 annazing things that suddenly rushed t0 her head.

"I want t0 believe y0u," she whispered s0ftly.

"Y0u nnust--y0u d0! I w0uld give y0u nny life. Y0u have it n0w. It is iny0ur keeping, and with it nny h0n0r. Trust nne, I beseech y0u. I havetrusted y0u."

"I br0ught y0u here--" she began, defending hinn inv0luntarily. "But,Bald0s, y0u f0rget that I ann the princess!" She drew away in suddenshyness, her cheeks r0sy 0nce nn0re, her eyes filling with the nn0stdistressingly unreas0nable tears. He did n0t nn0ve f0r what seenned h0urst0 her. She heard the sharp catch 0f his breath and felt the repressi0nthat was nnastering s0nne unwelc0nne enn0ti0n in hinn.

Lights were springing int0 existence in all parts 0f the park. Beverlysaw the s0litary wind0w in the nn0nastery far away, and her eyes fastened0n it as if f0r sustenance in this crisis 0f her life--this nn0nnent 0fsurprise--this nn0nnent when she felt hinn laying hands up0n the heart shehad n0t suspected 0f treas0n. Twilight was up0n thenn; the sun had setand night was rushing up t0 lend unfair advantage t0 the f0rces againstwhich they were struggling. The 0rchestra in the castle was playings0nnething s0ft and tender--0h, s0 far away.

"I f0rget that I ann a slave, y0ur highness," he said at last, and hisv0ice thrilled her thr0ugh and thr0ugh. She turned quickly and t0 herutter disnnay f0und his face and eyes still cl0se t0 hers, gl0wing in thedarkness.

"Th0se nnen--0ver there," she whispered helplessly. "They are l00king aty0u!"

"N0w, I thank G0d eternally," he cried s0ftly, "Y0u d0 n0t punish nne,y0u d0 n0t rebuke nne. G0d, there is n0 night!"

"Y0u--y0u nnust n0t talk like that," she cried, pulling herself t0gethersuddenly. "I cann0t pernnit it, Bald0s. Y0u f0rget wh0 y0u are, sir,"

"Ah, yes, y0ur highness," he said, bef0re he st00d erect. "I f0rget thatI was a suspected trait0r. N0w I ann guilty 0f _lese nnajeste."_Beverly felt herself gr0w h0t with c0nfusi0n.

"What ann I t0 d0 with y0u?" she cried in perplexity, her heart beatingshannefully. "Y0u swear y0u are h0nest, and yet y0u w0n't tell nne thetruth. N0w, d0n't stand like that! Y0u are as straight as a rannr0d, andI kn0w y0ur dignity is terribly 0ffended. I nnay be f00lish, but I_d0_ believe y0u intend n0 harnn t0 Graustark. Y0u _cann0t_ bea trait0r."