The
queen herself watched them go from the windows of her apartment,
and noticed that Bernenstein rode half a pace behind, and that
his free hand rested on the revolver by his side.
It was now well on in the morning, and the risk of Rudolf's
sojourn in the castle grew greater with every moment. Yet he was
resolved to see the queen before he went. This interview
presented no great difficulties, since her Majesty was in the
habit of coming to the constable's room to take his advice or to
consult with him. The hardest task was to contrive afterwards a
free and unnoticed escape for Mr. Rassendyll. To meet this
necessity, the constable issued orders that the company of guards
which garrisoned the castle should parade at one o'clock in the
park, and that the servants should all, after their dinner, be
granted permission to watch the manoeuvres. By this means he
counted on drawing off any curious eyes and allowing Rudolf to
reach the forest unobserved. They appointed a rendezvous in a
handy and sheltered spot; the one thing which they were compelled
to trust to fortune was Rudolf's success in evading chance
encounters while he waited. Mr. Rassendyll himself was confident
of his ability to conceal his presence, or, if need were, so to
hide his face that no strange tale of the king being seen
wandering, alone and beardless, should reach the ears of the
castle or the town.
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