hand. "Anything
but this! Can't you understand? I would have betrayed my trust. The
situation you placed me in was impossible. Great mischief is brewing in
Europe. Could I sit idly by and let my country be in ignorance of it?
God knows what is to happen, but whatever comes your country and mine
can have no quarrel--any more than you and I can have. England is
strong. No nation in Europe can endure without her friendship. Can't you
see? I have done Austria no wrong--a service, rather, Marishka; and
you----"

"You can do me no further service, Herr Renwick," she said coldly,
rising.

He was on his feet too, his face pale, regarding her steadily.

"I cannot believe that you are willing to blame me for doing my duty.
Love can only exist in an atmosphere of respect, Marishka. Could you
have cared for me if I had been willing to seek your favor at the
expense of my own honor? Could you? Think."

"Those who can thrive politically upon the misfortunes of my country are
my country's enemies--and mine," she said coldly.

"I have done your country no harm--nor you. Listen, Marishka," he
pleaded tensely. "Look at me. I love you, dear, with all my heart and
soul, I love you. You cannot forget what happened to us yesterday. I
will not give you up----"

"You must--I pray that you will leave me, Herr Renwick," and she moved
past him toward a door.

Renwick straightened. Whatever hopes he had had in his heart that
Marishka might forgive him for acting without her consent, her action
left no doubt as to her present intentions. The bitterness the girl's
fatalism had predicted yesterday had fallen upon them quickly. But he
would not despair. As the girl was yet to learn, Renwick was not one who
despaired easily. But his years of service had given him discretion.

"I cannot believe that you are quite in earnest," he said quietly. "I
will call upon you again when you have had time to weigh my action
impartially----"

"I shall not be at home to you."

"Nevertheless," he said coolly, "I shall come."

Her shoulders moved disdainfully. "It should be enough that I----"

"Marishka," he broke in again and came toward her, "at least give me a
chance to speak to you again--tomorrow----"

The curtains beside her parted abruptly as she fled, leaving Renwick
staring helplessly at the embroidered hangings.

He stood awkwardly for a moment, like a figure suddenly frozen, and then
dropping his arms to his sides turned and sought his hat a