"
The shaft fell pointless as she turned her sparkling face toward her women.
"You hear that, my lambs? This afternoon,--not one more night in this prison!
You cannot apply yourselves too soon to the packing, Candida, Leonorine. And I
must see if Teboen's wits have come back to her. If she should not be restored
to them, that would be one bee in the honey. Randalin, learn what disposal is
to be made of you, and that, quickly. Nobles, if I am not yet enough queen to
dismiss you, still am I queen enough to depart without your leave. I desire
you will thank your King as is becoming; and tell him that I am right glad he
was not poisoned,--and I trust he will not wish he had been, after he has seen
his ancient bride." Chiming the sweet bells of her laughter, she glided away
among her excited attendants, the silver mockery reaching them after she had
vanished into the house.
Randalin awoke to a sense of bewilderment. "It is true that I do not know
where to go, now that this place is upset."
The question was repeated in her lover's attitude; but Thorkel Jarl answered
it, coming between them and drawing her aside.
"I will remedy that," he said. "My men are to fetch you to the Palace so soon
as ever your lady has left. The King has a use for you." The rest he spoke
into her ear, but its effect was to blanch her cheeks and cause her hands to
clasp each other in terror as she started back.
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