And then I looked at Harry, and was aware of a new danger. He
was glaring at the Inca with eyes which told their own story of
the fire within, and which were waiting only for suspicion to
become certainty. I called to him:
"Harry! Hold fast!"
He glanced at me, gave a short laugh, and nodded.
Then came Desiree's voice, in a low tone of warning:
"On your knees!"
Her meaning was clear; it was to us she spoke. The king had
turned from her and was regarding us steadily with eyes so nearly
closed that their meaning was impenetrable. Harry and I glanced
at each other and remained standing. Then Desiree's voice again:
"Harry! If you love me!"
It was the appeal to a child; but love is young. Immediately
Harry dropped to his knees, facing the king; and I followed him,
wondering at myself. To this day I do not know what the
compelling force was that pulled me down. Was it another instance
of the power of Desiree?
For perhaps a minute we remained motionless on our knees while
the king stood gazing at us, it seemed to me with an air of
doubt. Then slowly, and with a gait that smacked of majesty
despite his ungainly appearance and diminutive stature, he
stalked across to the doorway and disappeared in the corridor
without.
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