"
In the impassioned reply which followed this address it was noticed
for the first time by the spectators that Maggie scarcely did herself
justice. Her exclamation--
"I wed with thee! I, bound by precontract
Your bride, your bondslave!"
was scarcely uttered with the scorn which such a girl would throw into
the words if her heart went with them.
The rest of the play proceeded well, the Prince following up his
advantage until his last words--
"Accomplish thou my mandhood and thyself;
Lay thy sweet hands in mine and trust to me,"
brought down the house with ringing applause.
The curtain fell and rose again. The Prince and Princess stood with
hands clasped. The eyes of the conquered Princess looked again at the
people in the gallery, but the eyes she wanted to see did not meet
hers.
An hour later Maggie Oliphant had occasion to go back to the forsaken
green-room to fetch a bracelet she had left there. Priscilla was
standing in the corridor when she passed. Quick as lightning Prissie
disappeared, and, making her way into the library, which was thrown
open for a general reception that evening, sought out Hammond, and,
taking his hand, said abruptly:
"I want you; come with me."
In surprise he followed her into the hall.
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