The part was played as completely and triumphantly as in the old
days when he ran the gauntlet of every eye in Strelsau. Yet if he
had not taken such pains to conciliate old Helsing, but had let
him depart, he might not have found himself driven to a greater
and even more hazardous deception.
They were conversing together alone. My wife had been prevailed
on by Rudolf to lie down in her room for an hour. Sorely needing
rest, she had obeyed him, having first given strict orders that
no member of the household should enter the room where the two
were except on an express summons. Fearing suspicion, she and
Rudolf had agreed that it was better to rely on these injunctions
than to lock the door again as they had the night before.
But while these things passed at my house, the queen and
Bernenstein were on their way to Strelsau. Perhaps, had Sapt been
at Zenda, his powerful influence might have availed to check the
impulsive expedition; Bernenstein had no such authority, and
could only obey the queen's peremptory orders and pathetic
prayers. Ever since Rudolf Rassendyll left her, three years
before, she had lived in stern self-repression, never her true
self, never for a moment able to be or to do what every hour her
heart urged on her.
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