It was not amiss for the king to see that she had her admirers.
"Well, and where has this foolish count gone to meet me ?" asked Rudolf lightly.
"You haven't seen him ?" "No; I came straight from the Castle of Zenda." "But," she cried, "he expected to find you at the hunting lodge.

Ah, but now I recollect! The Count of Rischenheim was greatly vexed to find, on his return, that his cousin was gone." "Ah, he was gone! Now I see! Rischenheim brought a message from me to Count Rupert." "And they missed one another, your Majesty ?" "Exactly, my dear young lady.

Very vexatious it is, upon my word!" In this remark, at least, Rudolf spoke no more and no other than he felt.
"But when do you expect the Count of Hentzau ?" he pursued.
"Early in the morning, your Majesty--at seven or eight." Rudolf came nearer to her, and took a couple of gold coins from his pocket.
"I don't want money, your Majesty," she murmured.
"Oh, make a hole in them and hang them round your neck." "Ah, yes: yes, give them to me," she cried, holding out her hand eagerly.
"You'll earn them ?" he asked, playfully holding them out of her reach.
"How ?" "By being ready to open to me when I come at eleven and knock as Bauer knocked." "Yes, I'll be there." "And by telling nobody that I've been here to-night.

Will you promise me that ?" "Not my mother ?" "No." "Nor the Count of Luzau-Rischenheim ?" "Him least of all.

You must tell nobody.