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Updated: July 5, 2025
Ellerey danced well. He had earned the reputation in many a London ball-room, and the Countess Frina danced as few English women can, with the soul of the music in her feet. "Those others are sometimes difficult to distinguish," Ellerey said presently. "Not to a woman," was the answer. "She has an intuition which is denied to most men.
"Some horsemen have ridden in saying that Captain Ellerey is in the hills surrounded by the brigands. Instead of being on the King's service, as the men supposed, he carried the token of Princess Maritza's house. The brigands immediately attacked the party." "Yes, and then?" exclaimed Frina. "These men deserted, my lady, and left the Captain and two or three companions to their fate.
"In any way I can, your Majesty." "But not in the way I want. It is a pity. You will force me to harsh measures. There is one other I may constrain to tell me, unless he values his secret more than life." Frina looked at him, a question in her eyes, but her lips gave it no words. "A brave man," said the King, "although circumstances have made him my enemy. You might save him."
"Love might prove incentive enough," said Frina. Petrescu turned to her quickly. The look in her eyes told him her secret plainly enough, but her words were sufficient to have a quickening influence on the hopes which had died within him. "I may be jumping to a rash conclusion," Frina went on hastily, "but if I am right indeed, whatever art is used, what hope is there of success?"
Why should the Countess become suddenly interested in the movements of Lord Cloverton? and since she was closely attached to the Queen, why should she warn him against De Froilette, who was also deep in her Majesty's confidence? The problem was beyond his power to solve. Frina Mavrodin was a far more important person in Sturatzberg than Ellerey imagined.
Her profound knowledge of current politics would have startled Lord Cloverton, and her capacity for intrigue and scheming would have astonished even Monsieur De Froilette into admiration. There were few clubs and societies in Sturatzberg, where discontent was fostered and secret plans discussed, which were not known to Frina Mavrodin.
Still Frina was silent. "Probably Captain Ellerey will not speak, therefore it is certain that Captain Ellerey must die," said the King slowly. "Is he in Sturatzberg?" "Ah, Countess, you must not try and surprise my secrets; but rest assured he must die unless you choose to save him." "How can I save him?" she asked. The King suddenly laid his hand on hers, which were folded in her lap.
I have never forgotten that meeting long ago in England, and now now I love him. Ah, Frina, you may pity me. Many a time in the hills I longed to cry out to him to take me northward into safety, to give me love instead of helping me to a kingdom. And then would surge into my soul the memory of my fathers, and I felt myself a coward.
"Grigosie," said Ellerey to the soldier beside him as he saw Dumitru fall. He used the name that Stefan might understand to the full. Was there anything that Stefan would not do for Grigosie? Frina Mavrodin stood for a moment alone above the surging, fighting mass.
"Subjects and servants alike, Countess, are our masters," said the King. Frina Mavrodin departed full of thanks and wreathed in gracious smiles. When she had gone, the King and the Ambassador looked inquiringly at each other. "I think your suspicions were unfounded, my lord," the King said. "I missed the centre of the target, your Majesty, but I believe I aimed at the right mark.
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