Hence he was unmoved till his care for the
fair fame of the queen and the love of his friends joined to
buffet his resolution.
Then he faltered; but he had not fallen. Yet Colonel Sapt did all
as though he had given his assent, and watched the last hours in
which his flight from Strelsau was possible go quickly by with
more than equanimity. Why hurry Rudolf's resolve? Every moment
shut him closer in the trap of an inevitable choice. With every
hour that he was called the king, it became more impossible for
him to bear any other name all his days. Therefore Sapt let Mr.
Rassendyll doubt and struggle, while he himself wrote his story
and laid his long-headed plans. And now and then James, the
little servant, came in and went out, sedate and smug, but with a
quiet satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. He had made a story for
a pastime, and it was being translated into history. He at least
would bear his part in it unflinchingly.
Before now the queen had left us, persuaded to lie down and try
to rest till the matter should be settled. Stilled by Rudolf's
gentle rebuke, she had urged him no more in words, but there was
an entreaty in her eyes stronger than any spoken prayer, and a
piteousness in the lingering of her hand in his harder to resist
than ten thousand sad petitions.
Pages:
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360