"
"I am not angry," said Roland gruffly, "but I detest malicious gossip."
"Oh, so do I, so do I! I spoke thoughtlessly. I will kneel to the new
Emperor and beg his pardon, if you insist."
Roland remained silent, and for a time they floated thus down the river,
she trailing her fingers in the water, which made a pleasant ripple
against them, looking up at him now and then. Perceptibly the darkness
was thinning. One seemed to smell morning in the air. A bird piped
dreamily in the forest at intervals, as if only half-awakened. The two
women reclining in the prow were sound asleep.
Roland picked up the paddle, and with a strong, sweeping stroke turned
the head of the boat towards the land. Now she could see his lowering
brow, and if the sight pleased her, 'twas not manifested in her next
remark.
She took her hand from the water, drew herself up proudly, and said:
"I shall not apologize to you again, and I hate your blameless Prince!"
"Madam, I ask for no apology, and whether you hate or like the Prince
matters nothing to me, or, I dare say, to him, either.
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