All barriers had fallen away,
leaving them what in fact they were: two frail and frightened human
beings, surviving both physically and emotionally by sharing the same
warmth, the same breath, the same meager sustenance. She could not
hide anything from her now.
"I feel," she went on, "as if something terrible is going to happen."
"To Michael?" Both understood so many things without words.
"No, Mary, I don't think so. Perhaps to us..... Someone is going to be
murdered, and it will happen in this room."
* * *
The banquet hall was again nearly full, though the air was far from
festive. Both camps seemed to realize that something major had
occurred in the battle between their respective leaders, and to sense
that something further would happen that night. Only Purceville
himself, and the large, rough-looking officer to his right, appeared
unconcerned.
The meal proceeded, largely in silence. Then, as the cloth was drawn,
the Governor rose and began to propose a series of toasts.
There was nothing unusual in this. Rather, it seemed the act of a
genial host, trying to smooth over the obvious tension of his guests.
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