e
me, though for some moments, and without the slightest real desire to be
guarded, I fancied Harry's father was overhearing me. He is your father,
dearest: fetch him to me. My father will hear of this from my lips--why
not he? Ah! did I suspect you ever so little? I will atone for it; not
atone, I will make it my pleasure; it is my pride that has hurt you both.
O my lover! my lover! Dear head, dear eyes! Delicate and noble that you
are! my own stronger soul! Where was my heart? Is it sometimes dead, or
sleeping? But you can touch it to life. Look at me--I am yours. I
consent, I desire it; I will see him. I will be bound. The heavier the
chains, oh! the better for me. What am I, to be proud of anything not
yours, Harry? and I that have passed over to you! I will see him at
once.'

A third in the room cried out, 'No, not that--you do not!'

The tongue was German and struck on us like a roll of unfriendly musketry
before we perceived the enemy. 'Princess Ottilia! you remember your
dignity or I defend you and it, think of me what you will!'

Baroness Turckems, desperately entangled by the sofa-covering, rushed
into the ray of the lamps and laid her hand on the bell-rope. In a minute
we had an alarm sounding, my father was among us, there was a mad play of
chatter, and we stood in the strangest nightmare-light that ever ended an
interview of lovers.

CHAPTER XXXVI

HOMEWARD AND HOME AGAIN

The room was in flames, Baroness Turckems plucking at the bell-rope, my
father looking big and brilliant.

'Hold hand!' he shouted to the frenzied baroness.

She counter-shouted; both of them stamped feet; the portico sentinel
struck the butt of his musket on the hall-doors; bell answered bell along
the upper galleries.

'Foolish woman, be silent!' cried my father.

'Incendiary!' she half-shrieked.

He turned to the princess, begging her to retire, but she stared at him,
and I too, after having seen him deliberately apply the flame of her lamp
to the curtains, deemed him mad. He was perfectly self-possessed, and
said, 'This will explain the bell!' and fetched a deep breath, and again
urged the princess to retire.

Peterborough was the only one present who bethought him of doing
fireman's duty. The risk looked greater than it was. He had but to tear
the lighted curtains down and trample on them. Suddenly the baroness
called out, 'The man is right! Come with me, princess; escape, your
Highness, escape! And you,' she ad