I saw his eyes fall on the corpse dangling from the chandelier, fix
themselves on it, and slowly freeze. I saw him take one tottering
step forward; and then, from an alcove, Marc'antonio and Stephanu
stepped quietly out and posted themselves between him and retreat.
"It will be best done quietly," said Marc'antonio. "The Cavalier,
there"--he pointed to me--"has the true crown, and will carry it to
good keeping. You will pardon us, O Cavalier, that we were forced to
tell the Princess an untruth this evening; but right is right, and we
could not permit her to interfere."
In all my life I have never seen such a face as the Prince turned
upon us, knowing that he must die. The face grinning from the
chandelier was scarcely less horrible.
He put up a hand to it. "Not here!" he managed to say. "In the next
room--not here!"
"As your highness wishes." Marc'antonio let him pass into the
workshop and he stood before the brazier, stretching out his palms as
though to warm them.
"These!" he whispered hoarsely, pointing to the instruments on the
brazier.
"Your Highness misunderstands.
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