The man was still shouting as the guards came hurrying across the cobbled courtyard and seized him and his friends.
None of the men made the slightest resistance, but the one who had been speaking went on shouting out, “Wanton! w***e! Harlot!” until a blow in the mouth from one of the guards dragging him along silenced his voice and brought a rush of blood from between his lips.
Sheena felt paralysed with what was happening right in front of her, as apparently was everyone else. She could only stare as the men were dragged away and then she saw the King make a hasty movement as if he would follow them.
The Duchesse put out her hand and laid it on his arm. She was very pale but otherwise completely composed and, still with her hand on the King’s arm, she went up the steps and without a b
