But Rudolf was not to be hurried into leaving her in such a
fashion. He clapped the constable on the shoulder, laughing, and
bidding him think of what he would for a moment; then he went
again to the queen and would have knelt before her, but that she
would not suffer, and they stood with hands locked. Then suddenly
she drew him to her and kissed his forehead, saying: "God go with
you, Rudolf my knight."
Thus she turned away, letting him go. He walked towards the door;
but a sound arrested his steps, and he waited in the middle of
the room, his eyes on the door. Old Sapt flew to the threshold,
his sword half-way out of its sheath. There was a step coming
down the passage, and the feet stopped outside the door.
"Is it the king?" whispered Rudolf.
"I don't know," said Sapt.
"No, it's not the king," came in unhesitating certainty from
Queen Flavia.
They waited: a low knock sounded on the door. Still for a moment
they waited. The knock was repeated urgently.
"We must open," said Sapt. "Behind the curtain with you, Rudolf."
The queen sat down, and Sapt piled a heap of papers before her,
that it might seem as though he and she transacted business. But
his precautions were interrupted by a hoarse, eager, low cry from
outside, "Quick! in God's name, quick!"
They knew the voice for Bernenstein's.
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