re him.

"Silence, jade!" he snarled, beastlike. "If you play with me, I will
nail you naked to your own door for Syracusan clowns to mock at."

Lycabetta grovelled in the grass at his feet.

"Forgiveness, sire," she begged.

Robert shook his rage from him, for he needed the woman to play out the
evil play.

"Go into the chapel," he ordered her, "and whisper to the captain of the
guard that I need Hildebrand."

Pagan though the woman was, she respected the ruling faith and made bold
to protest.

"Sire, if I disturb the ceremony--"

Robert rose and towered above her, disdainful in pride.

"I am the King. There is no church, no shrine, no ceremony where I am
not. Go!"

Not daring to disobey, Lycabetta left him, and, mounting the steps of
the chapel, opened the door cautiously and entered. Robert seated
himself again with burning brain and heart. A little white, bell-like
flower grew at his feet. He trampled it with his heel into the grass,
crushing it shapeless.

"How I shall triumph over this Diana," he said, aloud, hugging his foul
thought, "when every seaman can command her!"

Then he sat in silence, brooding over sins, till Lycabetta came out of
the chapel and descended the steps, followed by Hildebrand, who came to
Robert.

"You called me, sire?" he said.

Robert sprang to his feet and drew Hildebrand apart.

"Speed to the city," he whispered. "When it dusks, send my two Moorish
slaves to Theron's hut. They must persuade or force the girl to go with
them and bear her to the house of Lycabetta."

Hildebrand bowed.

"I obey, sire. Will you enter the chapel? They wait for you."

"They shall wait till the world's end, if I choose," Robert answered,
sourly. "If I choose that they shall sit there till they die and rot,
what is that to you?" He dropped moodily on the seat and sat staring
fiercely at the empty air.

Hildebrand left him and joined Lycabetta.

"The King is peevish," he whispered to her, and Lycabetta whispered back
to him:

"Some girl has crossed him. It is the first time he has known refusal,
and it maddens him like mandrake."

Hildebrand looked thoughtful.

"She may prove court favorite yet, if his mood changes. Maybe we were
wise to use her gently. Let me bring you to your litter."

She gave him her hand and the pair descended the mountain-path, leaving
the King again alone.

VI

THE ARCHANGEL

Still the King sat on the column, the living sovereign throned on th