she scrutinized him in
the light of the guttering candle.

"You--my enemy, Hugh? I--yours?" A wan smile came proudly to her lips.
"If I am your enemy, beloved, then love and loyalty have perished from
the earth. And you, who have risen from the grave to come to me----!"

"Sh----, dear," he whispered. "You must know the truth. Whatever
happens--here in the castle, the Austrian troops are all around us. Herr
Windt, too. There is no escape for me unless the Russians come through.
That is why I hope----"

Marishka put her arms around his shoulders quickly and kissed him on the
lips.

"Then I, too, pray that they may come through," she whispered fervently.

"Marishka! I do not ask you to give up your allegiance----"

"No, Hugh. I give without asking. Beloved, I want you to understand,"
she said solemnly. "Those that are your enemies are my enemies. You
would have died for me--and I, can I do less for you?"

"Sh----, Marishka," he murmured, "there is no death----"

"Death can be no worse for me than the horrible utter loneliness without
you; but whatever comes, I am yours, Hugh--in life--in death. I owe no
allegiance, no fealty, but to you, and I have kept the faith, Hugh, even
here. I can have no country that you may not share, no compatriots that
are not yours also. My kingdom is in your heart, beloved, there to live
while you will have it so."

"Marishka!" He caught her in his arms and held her long in his embrace,
and she clung close to him, her lips on his in this final test of their
plighted troth. About them the thunder of battle, ever approaching
nearer; the rumble and din of groaning wagons on the road below; the
hoarse cries of men; the whine and sputter of laboring motors trying to
pass in the narrow road--confusion, disorder, chaos; but now they heard
nothing. For them the earth stood still. Nations might totter and crash,
but their Empire was in each other....

Renwick raised his head at last. "Marishka," he whispered, "it is time
that we made a move." He released her suddenly, listened at the doors,
and then moved to the table beside her.

"First, we had better put out the light--then perhaps we can see if
there is anyone outside."

Marishka snuffed the candle, and they went to a window overlooking the
courtyard, drew the hangings and peered out. The din in the valley below
them was increasing, a hurrying of wagons, horses and guns in the narrow
road. Were more Austrian reinforcements coming up? I