What filled
her at once with unbearable apprehension and incredulous joy was
to find Rudolf present in actual flesh and blood, no longer in
sad longing dreams or visions, and to feel his live lips on her
hand.
Lovers count neither time nor danger; but Sapt counted both, and
no more than a moment had passed before, with eager imperative
gestures, he beckoned them to enter the room. The queen obeyed,
and Rudolf followed her.
"Let nobody in, and don't say a word to anybody," whispered Sapt,
as he entered, leaving Bernenstein outside. The young man was
half-dazed still, but he had sense to read the expression in the
constable's eyes and to learn from it that he must give his life
sooner than let the door be opened. So with drawn sword he stood
on guard.
It was eleven o'clock when the queen came, and midnight had
struck from the great clock of the castle before the door opened
again and Sapt came out. His sword was not drawn, but he had his
revolver in his hand. He shut the door silently after him and
began at once to talk in low, earnest, quick tones to
Bernenstein. Bernenstein listened intently and without
interrupting. Sapt's story ran on for eight or nine minutes.
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