human
I asked you to come, she began a bit nervously,
gpt
The last!
human
Oh, not that, she assured him, grasping his fear.
gpt
He isn't--isn't dead. But you knew he was wounded?
human
No, he answered quickly,
gpt
I had not heard.
human
Before the palace here and--he was brought to me. His wound isn't so very serious, the doctor says,--it's in his leg and he won't be able to walk for some time.
gpt
I am sorry for him, said Wilson, sincerely.
human
If there is anything I can do----
gpt
There is! There is! I have had him carried to his boat. He was unconscious and the doctor gave him something to make him sleep.
human
Drugged him?
gpt
Only so that he would go quietly. Then I gave the sailors orders to sail back home with him.
human
But why did you wish him to go back?
gpt
I must tell you, and you will understand. Oh, please to understand! He wanted to--to stay and--and I wanted him to stay. I think if--if it hadn't been for this trouble we--we would have been married. But now----
human
Your station forbids it,
gpt
No, it is not that. He doesn't need any title men might give him. I would have him King--but my people would only kill him. That is the reason.
human
Pardon me, begged Wilson.
gpt
I--I did not understand.
human
They are very jealous--my people. He would have many enemies here--enemies who wouldn't fight fair.
gpt
And he made you Queen for this!
human
He didn't know--did he?
gpt
I should say not.
human
Now I want you to talk to him if he returns, and tell him he mustn't come back and get killed. Won't you?
gpt
I will talk to him if I see him, but--he will come back just the same.
human
He mustn't. You don't understand fully the danger.
gpt
You couldn't make _him_ understand.
human
Oh!
gpt
If we could keep him away for a month--just a month. Then perhaps I could let someone else--be--be here.
human
You mean to abdicate?
gpt
Yes, couldn't I? The General told me that if I didn't send him away at once you would all be killed; but perhaps later--when things have quieted----
human
There will always be, he warned,
gpt
Pardon me, your Highness, but they wait to make you their Queen.
human
Don't! Don't! she pleaded.
gpt
Leave me for to-day just a maid of Carlina. To-morrow----
human
Your Majesty, answered the General, with some severity,
gpt
What do you mean?
human
That the situation now is a great deal more serious than your Majesty seems to understand. We are victorious, yes. But it is as difficult to maintain a victory as to win one. To-day the crowd throw up their caps for Beatrice, but if Beatrice spurns them and ignores their loyal cheers, it takes but a trifle to turn their thoughts the other way. Let me escort your Majesty through the city; let me establish you in the palace which has been graced by so many of your kin; let them see you where their grandfathers saw your brave aunt, and the last drop of blood in their veins is yours.
gpt
But I don't want their blood. I don't want to be Queen. I want to be left alone.
human
General, she said,
gpt
Your Majesty, he answered slowly,
human
But----
gpt
Your Majesty has not fully considered the alternative; it is that you and I and all the brave men who fought to-day for you will be at the mercy of Arlano,--at the mercy of the man whose father slew your aunt,--at the mercy of the man who tortured to death Banaca. It is a bloody mercy we would get. Beside your own, a thousand lives depend upon what you do before night.