!"

Hieronymus beckoned to Perpetua, who came and knelt by the side of the
seeming fool. Her senses were in a whirl, and, hardly conscious, she
stooped and listened to the words which Robert whispered eagerly into
her ear:

"You must not misread me; you must know why I have done what I have
done. My arm was too weak to wield a weapon in your defence, but my vile
body might well be flung away to rescue yours. Hildebrand is dead.
Hieronymus found me a suit of armor. I came as the challenger, resolved
to fall and die."

"I knew this," confirmed Hieronymus; "but I was pledged to keep his
secret."

Perpetua looked into Robert's eyes tenderly. What could be said of
devotion such as his?

"You must not die," she whispered.

Robert shook his head.

"The law demands my death as the very seal of your innocence. But it is
better to die thus in your service than to live forever having wronged
you in a thought."

Fighting emotions swayed Perpetua's soul. Hardly knowing what she said,
she spoke quickly:

"You must not die. Your life is very dear to me. I love you." Her cheeks
flamed crimson as she spoke, but her lips and her eyes were steadfast.

Robert shook his head.

"You could not love this monster. You pity me and you call your pity
love."

All Syracuse watched and wondered at the colloquy between the redeemed
maid and the mysterious fool who had taken the place of the Lord
Hildebrand. Now they saw Perpetua spring to her feet.

"I love you," she said to Robert, "for I love your noble soul."

She left him and advanced to the place where the figure like the King
sat. "King," she cried, so that all could hear, "give me this man!"

Instantly the figure like the King answered her:

"He is yours if you love him."

Robert staggered to his feet and limped over to where Perpetua stood.

"I love him," Perpetua said, proudly.

Robert saw the eyes of the kingly likeness fixed upon him, and he knew
that they asked him if he was content to escape death by this gate.

"No, no, no!" he cried, in answer. He turned to Perpetua. "I should be
baser than I have ever been if I took you at your word. Though no man
may recognize me for a king over men, at least there is one realm in
which I will rule. Here I am king, and while reason rules in my brain
and my blood runs in its channels, I will live a king and die a king,
king over myself and my own evil passions. Take me to my death."

There came no change over the face of hi