Yet she was none the less resolved to seek Mr. Rassendyll at
once. In truth, she feared even then to find him dead, so strong
was the hold of her dream on her; until she knew that he was
alive she could not rest. Bernenstein, fearful that the strain
would kill her, or rob her of reason, promised everything; and
declared, with a confidence which he did not feel, that beyond
doubt Mr. Rassendyll was alive and well.
"But where--where?" she cried eagerly, with clasped hands.
"We're most likely, madam, to find him at Fritz von
Tarlenheim's," answered the lieutenant. "He would wait there till
the time came to attack Rupert, or, if the thing is over, he will
have returned there."
"Then let us drive there at once," she urged.
Bernenstein, however, persuaded her to go to the palace first and
let it be known there that she was going to pay a visit to my
wife. She arrived at the palace at eight o'clock, took a cup of
chocolate, and then ordered her carriage. Bernenstein alone
accompanied her when she set out for my house about nine. He was,
by now, hardly less agitated than the queen herself.
In her entire preoccupation with Mr. Rassendyll, she gave little
thought to what might have happened at the hunting lodge; but
Bernenstein drew gloomy auguries from the failure of Sapt and
myself to return at the proper time.
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