For my friend's sake,
mistress, and if I choose, I will even love you and you shall come to
my hand. Bethink you now what pains you can put on me; but at the
last you shall come and place your neck under my foot, humbly, not
choosing to be loved or hated, only beseeching your master!"
I broke off, half in wonder at my own words and the flame in my
blood, half in dismay to see her, who at first had fronted me
bravely, wince and put up both hands to her face, yet not so as to
cover a tide of shame flushing her from throat to brow.
"Give me leave to shoot him, Princess," said Marc'antonio. But she
shook her head. "He has been talking with some one. . . .
With Stephanu?" His gaze questioned me gloomily. "No, I will do the
dog justice; Stephanu would not talk."
"Lead her away," said I, "and leave me now to mourn my friend."
He touched her by the arm, at the same time promising me with a look
that he would return for an explanation. The Princess shivered, but,
as he stood aside to let her pass, recollected herself and went
before him up the path beneath the pines.
I stepped to where Nat lay and bent over him.
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