not ask her to tell me her reasons, that I might combat them. But with me they had no weight.
"This is no matter, Princess," I ventured to say, "in which any considerations but the most impersonal reasons of policy can be allowed to prevail. I beg you earnestly to pause before taking a step that on my soul I know must be fatal to everything." The words brought a look of flashing reproach.
"You tell me this. Can't you see what would be said of me if I sanctioned such a thing? No, no, no; I cannot, I cannot, I will not," she cried impetuously.
My eyes fell before hers, but yield I would not.
"Will you permit me to withdraw now, and we can speak of this matter another time? Meanwhile"
"Meanwhile you will do that which will compromise me in the eyes of all Bulgaria," she cried vehemently.
"I shall do no more than your safety and that of all others concerned with us in this matter demands," I answered stubbornly. "We have no other object but your safety and success."
"Do you think I will set my liberty on such an issue—that I will consent to be held up to the whole country, ay, to all Europe, as" She stopped, and a vivid blush spread over her face, but, drawing herself up with head erect, she added with a truly royal air: "Count Benderoff, as the Princess Christina and your future Queen, I lay my commands upon you to set the Countess Bokara at liberty without delay."
"Your Highness has no truer follower than I, and my future Queen will have no more loyal and faithful subject, but this command I cannot and will not obey."
I bowed low, and, raising my head, met her look with one as firm and resolute as her own.
