ed his forgiveness for having kept the ugly truth
from him. Quinnox added to his anguish by hastily informing him that
there was a possibility of succor from another principality. Prince
Gabriel, he said, not knowing that he was cutting his listener to the
heart, was daily with the Princess, and it was believed that he was
ready to loan Graustark sufficient money to meet the demand of Bolaroz.
The mere thought that Gabriel was with her aroused the fiercest
resentment in Lorry's breast. He writhed beneath the knowledge that she
was compelled to endure his advances, his protestations of love, his
presence.

As he paced his narrow room distractedly a horrid thought struck him so
violently that he cried aloud and staggered against the wall, his eyes
fixed on the face of the startled soldier. Perhaps she might submit to
Gabriel, for in submitting she could save not only Graustark, but the
man she loved. The sacrifice--but no! he would not believe that such
affliction could come to her! Marry Gabriel! The man who had planned
to seize her and make her his wanton! He ground his teeth and glared at
Quinnox as if he were the object of his hatred, his vicious jealousy.
The captain stepped backward in sudden alarm.

"Don't be afraid!" Lorry cried, savagely. "I'm not crazy. It's your
news--your news! Does she expect me to stay up here while that state of
affairs exists down there? Let me see: this is the eighteenth, and day
after to-morrow is the twentieth. There is no time to be lost, Captain
Quinnox. I shall accompany you when you leave St. Valentine's to-night."

"Impossible!" exclaimed Quinnox. "I cannot allow that, sir. My
instructions are to--"

"Hang your instructions! All the instructions on earth can't compel me
to sit up here and see this sacrifice made. I am determined to see her
and put a stop to the whole affair. It is what I feared would come to
pass. She is willing to sacrifice herself or half her kingdom, one or
the other, in order that I may escape. It's not right, captain, it's not
right, and I'm going to stop it. How soon can we leave this place?"
He was pacing the floor, happy in the decision he had reached,
notwithstanding the danger it promised.

"You are mad, sir, to talk like this," protested the other,
despairingly. "Edelweiss swarms with Axphain soldiers; our own men are
on the alert to win the great reward. You cannot go to the city. When a
safe time comes, you will be taken from this place, into the