You shielded me then as you have shielded me from
the beginning."

" I don't see why I sit here and let you talk to me
like that," she said, feeling the symptoms of col-
lapse. " You have not been fair with me, Baldos.
You are laughing at me now and calling me a witless
little fool. You — you did something to-day that
shakes my faith to the very bottom. I never can
trust you again. Good heaven, I hate to confess
to — to everyone that you are not honest."

" Your highness ! " he implored, coming close to



A NOTE TRANSLATED 195

the chair and bending over her. " Before God, I
am honest with you. Believe me when I say that I
have done nothing to injure Graustark. I cannot tell
you what it was that passed between Ravone and me,
but I swear on my soul that I have not been disloyal
to my oath. Won't you trust me? Won't you be-
lieve.'"' His breath was fanning her ear, his voice
was eager ; she could feel the intensity of his eyes.
" Oh, I don't — don't know what to say to you,"
she murmured. " I have been so wrought up with
fear and disappointment. You'll admit that it was
very suspicious, won't you ? " she cried, almost plead-
ingly.
