Rudolf gave me a little brandy mixed in a great deal of water,
and then I made shift to tell him. Though faint, I was not
confused, and I gave my story in brief, hurried, yet sufficient
words. He made no sign till I mentioned the letter. Then his face
changed.
"A letter, too?" he exclaimed, in a strange mixture of increased
apprehension and unlooked-for joy.
"Yes, a letter, too; she wrote a letter, and I carried that as
well as the box. I've lost them both, Rudolf. God help me, I've
lost them both! Rupert has the letter too!" I think I must have
been weak and unmanned from the blow I had received, for my
composure broke down here. Rudolf stepped up to me and wrung me
by the hand. I mastered myself again and looked in his face as he
stood in thought, his hand caressing the strong curve of his
clean-shaven chin. Now that I was with him again it seemed as
though I had never lost him; as though we were still together in
Strelsau or at Tarlenheim, planning how to hoodwink Black
Michael, send Rupert of Hentzau to his own place, and bring the
king back to his throne. For Mr. Rassendyll, as he stood before
me now, was changed in nothing since our last meeting, nor indeed
since he reigned in Strelsau, save that a few flecks of gray
spotted his hair.
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