The Rebellion of the Princess (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ...sir," she said excitedly, "take me to my father " I turned and shook my head. "Not yet," I replied. "Not yet?" she repeated wildly. "If we delay, they will kill him--he is in the Golden Hall, so said the czarevna--and they will kill him I must go to him. Where is your honour, sir?" She added sharply, " You promised " The light shining in at the grille showed me her disdain. "Yes, I promised," I said coldly, taking in every detail of her face and figure, beautiful and commanding and scornful even here; " I promised, but now it is impossible." "I do not believe it," she cried passionately; "let me go " I had not meant to let her see that sight, but her unreasonable anger and distrust led me to it. I let her pass me and look through the grate. As she did so there was another burst of madness without, shouts and cries. She turned from the grille with a shudder and walked away, perhaps five or six yards, in absolute dejection. I said nothing, but at least it was good to be justified. However, I knew that worse might come, at any moment, and that it behoved me to be prepared. I could think of no expedient save to wait until nightfall. I had no way of measuring time, but had remarked the length of the shadows without, and thought the afternoon must be well advanced. When darkness came, we might escape; in daylight it was absolutely impossible. If, in the meantime, the cellar was searched, as it might be, was there a place to hide? I walked around it deliberately, and found no alcoves; there were the wine-butts, and that was all. Examining these, I found that a quarter of the number were empty, especially those in the farther corner, and had been empty long, for, feeling as far as I could reach, I found them dry and warped even in that unwholesome...