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alone.” Suddenly, Louise was frightened for Alexander. The feeling stunned her. She was surprised that she cared. But she knew her father would surely order him to be whipped. She was so frightened she couldn’t move or speak. The anger shown in her father’s face. “How dare you disrespect the princess! You shall be whi....” As her father started to give the command that Alexander was to be whipped, Louise’s mother grabbed his arm and beckoned him aside. With the moment’s reprieve, Louise’s mind was reeling. She had never seen anyone stand up with such courage to her father, and especially not for her. What would she do if Alexander was whipped? Many men never fully recovered from a whipping, and some even died. She knew that she was at least as much to blame as he was. She tried again and again to tell herself that he deserved it, but, for the first time, her heart refused to accept her lie. She prayed that her mother could prevail with her father. She saw the concern on Duke Reginald’s face, and could hear Lady Margaret crying. They both feared the inevitable. After several agonizing minutes, her father stepped forward. Trying to hold back his anger, he announced, “We are not going to delay the banquet for the recklessness and brashness of youth. It is not the fault of the guests, and the dinner must go forward. Knowing my daughter’s temperament, I will not hold you fully responsible, nor will 51