“When all the people had assembled in the galleries, and the king, surrounded by his court, sat high up on his throne of royal state on one side of the arena, he gave a signal, a door beneath him opened, and the accused subject stepped out into the amphitheater.”
“And not only did she know in which room stood the lady ready to emerge, all blushing and radiant, should her door be opened, but she knew who the lady was. It was one of the fairest and loveliest of the damsels of the court who had been selected asthe reward of the accused youth, should he be proved innocent of the crime of aspiring to one so far above him; and the princess hated her.”
“Then it was that his quick and anxious glance asked the question: Which? It was as plain to her as if he shouted it from where he stood. There was not an instant to be lost. The question was asked in a flash; it must be answered in another.”
“Her right arm lay on the cushioned parapet before her. She raised her hand, and made a slight, quick movement toward the right. No one but her lover saw her.He turned, and with a firm and rapid step he walked across the empty space. Without theslightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right, and opened it.”