"You were scarcely to blame," she said, when he had finished. "But, Ughtred, I have begun to understand what should have been plain to me from the first--what you too should have thought of, perhaps. Our engagement would never be welcomed by your people. They love the old families and the old names. It would make you unpopular, and I believe it is at the bottom of your disagreement with the Reists. You must forget what you said, dear. It is best, indeed."
He turned upon her for the moment almost fiercely. He was overwrought.
"You, too!" he exclaimed. "My God, how lonely people can leave a King when the evil times come."
He saw her look of pain, and the tears fill her eyes. He turned suddenly and threw his arms about her.
"You love me, Sara. You do not want to take that back?"
"Then put these things away from you till these troubles are past. At least let me have you to think of and fight for. Afterwards we will speak of them again."
"Only I want you to know, Ughtred," she said, "that I will never become your wife if it is to lessen your hold upon your people here. I wish they could know it. Some of these poor wounded soldiers look at me as if I were their enemy. Why, it is terrible."
"When the war is over we will talk of this seriously," he answered. "Listen."
He threw up the blind. It was still dark and apparently raining, but away eastwards there was a break in the clouds, and the stars were paler. In the courtyard below a carriage was waiting. He dropped the blind hastily, picked up his cloak.
"I must go, Sara," he declared. "Wish me luck, dear."
She clung to him with suddenly swimming eyes. Her lips trembled--her face was very wistful.
"Oh, my dear! My dear," she cried, softly, "if only I could bring you luck. If only I could be your mascotte."
He laughed cheerily. His arms were around her, and she was comforted.
"There is no better mascotte for a man in this world," he declared, "than the touch of the woman he loves. Send me back to the front, dear, with your kisses upon my lips and the sound of your voice in my ears, and I promise you that you shall hear great news."
When Ughtred passed out a few minutes later a rumour went through the palace that good news had come. For the King held his head high, and his eyes were as the eyes of a man who goes forth to victory looking upon pleasant things.