"

She turned away from him and leaned upon the wall. But to him at least
she did not show fear.

"We cannot remain here indefinitely," she said coolly.

"Are you not comfortable? Is not everything provided for you? It has
been my pride to make your convalescence agreeable in all ways," he
said, leaning a little nearer to her. "I have tried to atone for the
discomforts of your journey. Was it not my solicitude for your health
which balked my own plans? You have questioned the truth of my
professions, but you cannot deny the evidences of your safety."

Marishka was thinking quickly. Much as she abhorred the man, she
realized that, if she were to have any chance of success she must meet
him with weapons stronger than his own. And so she turned to him with a
smile which concealed her growing terror.

"Herr Hauptmann, I do not wish you to think that I am ungrateful for the
many indulgences that you have shown me. Your position has been a
difficult one. But from the beginning we have been enemies----"

"Before the outbreak of the war--but allies now----"

"Not if you persist in your plan to carry me to Germany."

He asked her permission to smoke, and when she had granted it he went on
coolly.

"Perhaps something may happen to prevent the execution of my plan," he
said.

"What?" she stammered.

He searched her face eagerly for a moment.

"You may be sure, Countess Strahni," he said in a half-whisper, "that it
is very painful to me that you should think of me as an enemy. Enemy I
am not. It is my duty to take you to Germany, but it is very painful to
me to do anything which makes you unhappy. Here, safe from detection, I
am still doing my duty. And in remaining here you, too, are safe. Will
you not try to be contented--to endure my society just for a little
while? I want to show you that I can be as other men----"

She laughed to hide her fears.

"All men are alike where a woman is concerned--"

"Will you try? I will be your slave--your servant. Within the castle you
may come and go as you please. No one shall approach you without your
permission. You see, I am not an exacting jailer. All I ask is the hope
of your friendship, a glimpse of your returning smile, and such
companionship as you care to give me. It is not much. Do I not deserve
it? _Bitte_, think a little."

Marishka gasped and fought the impulse to run from him, for his face was
very near her shoulder, his voice very close to her ear.

"I--I t