Yet it might be that before the respite ran out Rupert would be ours.

In fine, what else could be chosen?
For now a greater peril threatened than that against which we had at the first sought to guard.
Then the worst we feared was that the letter should come to the king's hands.

That could never be.

But it would be a worse thing if it were found on Rupert, and all the kingdom, nay, all Europe, know that it was written in the hand of her who was now, in her own right, Queen of Ruritania.

To save her from that, no chance was too desperate, no scheme too perilous; yes, if, as Sapt said, we ourselves were held to answer for the king's death, still we must go on.