"They will not believe anything bad of you." "Then our father must die." Dolores kissed her once more and made her sit down, then turned and went away.

She walked quickly along the corridors and descended the second staircase, to enter the throne room by the side door reserved for the officers of the household and the maids of honour.

She walked swiftly, her head erect, one hand holding the folds of her cloak pressed to her bosom, and the other, nervously clenched, and hanging down, as if she were expecting to strike a blow.
She reached the door, and for a moment her heart stopped beating, and her eyes closed.

She heard many loud voices within, and she knew that most of the court must still be assembled.

It was better that all the world should hear her--even the King, if he were still there.