upon the lower window-sill. At the same moment another
head appeared beside Clementina's, and a sharp cry rang out, a cry of
terror. Then both heads disappeared, and a heavy curtain swung across
the window, shutting the light in.

Wogan remained motionless, his heart sinking with alarm. Had that cry
been heard? Had the wind carried it to the sentry at the door? He
waited, but no sound of running footsteps came to his ears; the cry had
been lost in the storm. He was now so near to success that dangers which
a month ago would have seemed of small account showed most menacing and
fatal.

"It was the Princess-mother who cried out," he thought, and was reminded
that the need of persuasions was not ended for the night with the
conquest of Jenny. He had to convince the Princess-mother of his
authority without a line of Prince Sobieski's writing to support him; he
had to overcome her timidity. But he was prepared for the encounter; he
had foreseen it, and had an argument ready for the Princess-mother,
though he would have preferred to wring the old lady's neck. Her cry
might spoil everything. However, it had not been heard, and since it had
not been heard, Wogan was disposed to forgive it.

For the window was still open, and now that the curtain was drawn no ray
of light escaped from the room to betray the man who climbed into it.

CHAPTER XIII

Meanwhile within the room the Princess-mother clung to Clementina. The
terror which her sharp cry had expressed was visible in her strained and
startled face. Her eyes, bright with terror, stared at the drawn
curtain; she could not avert them; she still must gaze, fascinated by
her fears; and her dry, whispering lips were tremulous.

"Heaven have mercy!" she whispered; "shut the window! Shut it fast!" and
as Clementina moved in surprise, she clung the closer to her daughter.
"No, do not leave me! Come away! Jesu! here are we alone,--two women!"

"Mother," said Clementina, soothing her and gently stroking her hair, as
though she in truth was the mother and the mother her daughter, "there's
no cause for fear."

"No cause for fear! I saw him--the sentry--he is climbing up. Ah!" and
again her voice rose to a cry as Wogan's foot grated on the
window-ledge.

"Hush, mother! A cry will ruin us. It's not the sentinel," said
Clementina.

Clementina was laughing, and by her laughter the Princess-mother was in
some measure reassured.

"Who is it, then?" she asked.

"Can you