Read "The Great Court Scandal" by William le Queux online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Re-entering the room she found herself alone, Leucha having gone downstairs into the garden to walk with Ignatia. Therefore she drew the letter from her pocket and re-read it.
"Dearest Heart," he wrote, -- "To-night the journals in Rome are publishing the news of the King's death, and I write to you as your Majesty -- my Queen. You are my dear heart no longer, but my Sovereign. Our enemies have again libelled us. I have heard it all. They say that we left Treysa in company, and that I am your lover; foul lies, because they fear your power. The _Tribuna_ and the _Messagero_ have declared that the King contemplates a divorce; yet surely you will defend yourself. You will not allow these cringing place-seekers to triumph, when you are entirely pure and innocent? Ah, if his Majesty could only be convinced of the truth -- if he could only see that our friendship is platonic; that since the clay of your marriage no word of love has ever been spoken between us! You are my friend -- still my little friend of those old days at dear old Wartenstein. I am exiled here to a Court that is brilliant though torn by internal intrigue, like your own.