Her Royal Lover: A Novel — page 98: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

90 HER ROYAL LOVER. attacked; but by whom? And how is it that Kassar is dead? If, having heard a struggle in the apart- ment of the princess, he had entered there and the assassin had struck him, Najeska Ivanowna would know it. And she denies it! she denies all! If she lies it is because she loves the assassin then and wishes to save him. A terrible combat between the suspicion which overwhelms and the love which excuses is waged within him. If it was the king! How to discover that fact, for which he would have given ten years of his life? But, to the point, did he not know all the aides- de-camp of the king, all the dignitaries of the palace? Why should he not go to them and adroitly question them? His resolution is taken. Behold him then, upon the little dead and sleepy square of the residence city; where one may see the grass grow upon which no indiscreet foot comes to trod. At the same time as he, a man traverses it: it is Count Adlersward, the favorite aide-de-camp of the king. “Wait,” said the count, “this happens admirably ; I was going directly to your house to inquire about this terrible affair.” Mineleko, subduing his agitation, regulated his steps by those of the aide-de-camp. After he had spoken of the assassination he asked: “How is his majesty this morning?” demanded he, coming to the point. “As always, very well. But wherefore this sud- den disquietude for a health which rarely leaves anything to be desired?” “For nothing—nothing. Only, I was informed Eomichooks: co