I doubted not that, true to his relentless purpose, he was spreading the news that he had learnt.

To uphold the Crown and beat Black Michael--that was his one resolve.

Flavia, myself--ay, and the real King in Zenda, were pieces in his game; and pawns have no business with passions.

Not even at the walls of the Palace did he stop; for when at last I handed Flavia down the broad marble steps and into her carriage, there was a great crowd awaiting us, and we were welcomed with deafening cheers.

What could I do?
Had I spoken then, they would have refused to believe that I was not the King; they might have believed that the King had run mad.