It was but a moment,
but I then and there fell in love with her myself, and have remained
so to this hour; for, indeed, she looked more like an angel out
of heaven than a loving, passionate, mortal woman. Low we bowed
before her, and then she spoke.
'I have come,' she whispered, 'but it was at great risk. Ye
know not how I am watched. The priests watch me. Sorais watches
me with those great eyes of hers. My very guards are spies upon
me. Nasta watches me too. Oh, let him be careful!' and she
stamped her foot. 'Let him be careful; I am a woman, and therefore
hard to drive. Ay, and I am a Queen, too, and can still avenge.
Let him be careful, I say, lest in place of giving him my hand
I take his head,' and she ended the outburst with a little sob,
and then smiled up at us bewitchingly and laughed.
'Thou didst bid me come hither, my Lord Incubu' (Curtis had taught
her to call him so). 'Doubtless it is about business of the
State, for I know that thou art ever full of great ideas and
plans for my welfare and my people's. So even as a Queen should
I have come, though I greatly fear the dark alone,' and again
she laughed and gave him a glance from her grey eyes.
At this point I thought it wise to move a little, since secrets
'of the State' should not be made public property; but she would
not let me go far, peremptorily stopping me within five yards
or so, saying that she feared surprise.
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