tion, would never fall from
honour.

There remained Rallywood. He, too, was to be depended upon, the Duke
decided quickly, though for no special reason but that he had taken some
vague fancy to the Englishman's bronzed face and swinging stride. Yet
Simon was powerful and unscrupulous; how could this handful of men
oppose him?

He sprang up in his bed as the door opened and a man stood on the
threshold.

'Sire, there is treason! Colendorp has been murdered.'

'Is it you, Unziar?' The Duke's voice came strangely from his pillows.
'Send for the whole escort of the Guard from their quarters.'

'Impossible, sire! The corridors are held by Count Sagan's men.
Mademoiselle Selpdorf has brought the news.'

'What! You told me not two hours ago she was engaged to von Elmur. She
is the price of Selpdorf's treason.'

Unziar stepped nearer.

'Mademoiselle Selpdorf has already risked her life to warn us that we
are in danger. I'd stake my soul she is loyal.'

'Good indeed, Anthony! I'd sooner have your honour than your soul. But
go, in the name of the Virgin, and since the corridors are closed to the
men of my Guard, send the girl for Major Counsellor. She can but die!'

Unziar saluted and hurried back to the ante-room where Valerie and
Rallywood were waiting. In spite of his personal horror at the thought
of her danger, he was well aware that only by Valerie's aid could they
hope to reach Counsellor.

Valerie listened to the Duke's order, then wrapping the lace as before
about her head turned to Rallywood. He accompanied her through the
guard-room and some little way along the passage. It seemed as if he
could not let her go forth on this perilous enterprise.

'For God's sake, take care of yourself!' he said. 'If anything were to
happen to you.'

The prolonged excitement of events, the sense of responsibility and
danger, the exaltation of such a moment must have reacted on Valerie.
Whether prompted by some instinct of coquetry, or betrayed into a touch
of real feeling, or perhaps moved by the knowledge that death stood
close beside them both, she drew her hand from his arm and raising her
face asked in her soft voice:

'Do you remember what you said to me once--on the night of the palace
ball?'

He saw the deep eyes upraised to his, though their meaning in that dim
place he could not be sure of, but a rush of quick memories came over
him.

'Yes.'

She gave a little excited laugh.

'Then expect me!' she said.