Adventure, June 1911 — page 76: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

262 She misunderstood me. ‘You do not care what may come to me, then?”’ she cried bitterly. “It does not distress you that I shall fall into my cousin’s power? Ah! then all this talk of love with which you enter- tained me a few moments since was but a cheat?” “No, Princess,”’ I answered quietly. “I love you, and it is for me to save you—and so I shall do, with God’s help. Be calm now, waste no time in fear, for we shall be hard pressed to carry out my scheme before Antonio comes.” “You will save me?” credulously. Voices and laughter came to us from with- out. Francesca and her Irish lover were returning from the battlements. A mo- ment later they were in the room, and the laughter died on theiz lips as they gazed from the Princess’ white face to my grim, set one. _ “What’s gone amiss, Sir John?” O’Meara cried, springing forward and catching me by the arm. I laid my hand on his shoulder and drew him to me. “Michael,” I said soberly, “you are the one friend I have in all the world. Ihave trusted you for years, though I trust no one else on earth. You would not refuse me anything on which my heart was set, would you, lad?” He looked bewildered and somewhat emo- tional. ‘Faith, and I think you’ve got no need to ask that!” he answered, almost angrily. “It’s ask and have, Sir John! Tell me to go to Verona and strike the Prince across the face, or to besiege the city walls all alone, and [ll not say no be “‘T am sure of that,” I answered, keeping my hold on his shoulder. ‘But would you do something harder, Michael? Would you turn your back on a deadly fight for my sake, and ride for safety as fast as ever your horse could take you?” The Irishman’s expressive features twisted in an obvious struggle.. ‘‘’Tis a deal to ask of any man, and above all of one of my country,” he cried, “but, bedad, I love you so well I believe I'd be after doing even that if you asked it! But you'll not ask it, will you, Sir John, dear?” he pleaded, in mani- fest alarm. “T must, Michael,” I answered. He was staring at me now with his mouth fallen open. Francesca, conscious that an evil moment was upon us, had run to the Prin- she cried in- Adventure cess and put her arms about her. ‘‘ Antonio della Scala is to come here within the hour, and will enter by a secret passage that runs beneath the moat. We can not resist him, therefore we must not let him find the Prin- cess here. I had-meant, as you know, to remain here until a strong troop of Floren- tines might escort Madonna Giulia safely across the Paduan boundaries, but since this is impossible you must take her to-night —at once. You shall have twenty men; it is not a great number, but I can do nothing better for you. Ride as if the devil were at ‘your heels, cut through any obstacles that cross your way, never draw rein for an instant till you reach Padua and Duke Francesco!” “And what of yourself meanwhile, Sir John?” said O’Meara, in a very low voice. “Oh, I shall have plenty to do, never doubt it, ”? I answered cheerfully. ‘I will remain here and hold the castle as long as may be against the Prince, that he may be- lieve Madonna Giulia is still here and make no move to pursue her. That should give you a safe start.” : >, “YES, we should get away-safely,” 7. said O’Meara, vaguely and indiffer- ently, as if he cared little whether they did or not. “But you? ’Tis signing your own death-warrant you are 4 “Hush!” I whispered fiercely, with a glance at the Princess. He broke off and stood silent, very pale, biting at his lip. I went over to Madonna Francesca and spoke to her gently. ‘‘ Madonna, you can help us greatly in this matter if you choose. Are you brave enough to run some risk for the sake of your lady?” She looked at me in a bewildered fashion. “T do not understand,’ she murmured. “The Princess is in no danger—what harm can come to her through falling into her cousin’s hands? It is what she desires——”’ ““No, no, child!” cried the Princess des- perately. “T have been tricked, I have been duped by the Prince! It was his plan to have me brought here that he might force me into marriage with him. Sir John heard the plot and did all that a true knight could to save me, and in my madness I have ruined him! If Antonio takes me now, the Virgin help me!”’ “Will you aid us in saving your lady?” I asked Francesca again. She drew. away from the Princess and COmiclbooks (C@