The worst, by far the worst and hardest to endure, would be something within herself, for which she had neither words nor true understanding, but which was more real than anything she could define, for it was in the very core of her heart and in the secret of her soul, a sort of despairing shame of herself and a desolate longing for something she could never recover.
She closed her tired eyes and pressed her hand heavily upon the stone coping of the parapet.

It was the supreme effort, and when she looked down at Inez again she knew that she should live to the end of the ordeal without wavering.
"I am going down to the throne room," she said, very quietly and gently.
"You had better go to our apartment, dear, and wait for me there.

I am going to try and save our father's life--do not ask me how.

It will not take long to say what I have to say, and then I will come to you." Inez had risen now, and was standing beside her, laying a hand upon her arm.
"Let me come, too," she said.

"I can help you, I am sure I can help you." "No," answered Dolores, with authority.