was full of shadowy shapes. He
lit his lantern. The flame darted forth, bickered, then slowly lit up
the great room.

"Who's there?"

A rustling seemed to answer. He peered about, went to the doorway, and
drew the curtain. A woman's cloaked figure shrank against the wall. Her
face was buried in her hands; her arms, from which the cloak fell back,
were alone visible.

"Christian?"

She ran past him, and when he had put the lantern down, was standing at
the window. She turned quickly to him. "Take me away from here! Let me
come with you!"

"Do you mean it?"

"You said you wouldn't give me up!"

"You know what you are doing?"

She made a motion of assent.

"But you don't grasp what this means. Things to bear that you know
nothing of--hunger perhaps! Think, even hunger! And your people won't
forgive--you'll lose everything."

She shook her head.

"I must choose--it's one thing or the other. I can't give you up! I
should be afraid!"

"But, dear; how can you come with me? We can't be married here."

"I am giving my life to you."

"You are too good for me," said Harz. "The life you're going into--may
be dark, like that!" he pointed to the window.

A sound of footsteps broke the hush. They could see a figure on the path
below. It stopped, seemed to consider, vanished. They heard the sounds
of groping hands, of a creaking door, of uncertain feet on the stairs.

Harz seized her hand.

"Quick!" he whispered; "behind this canvas!"

Christian was trembling violently. She drew her hood across her face.
The heavy breathing and ejaculations of the visitor were now plainly
audible.

"He's there! Quick! Hide!"

She shook her head.

With a thrill at his heart, Harz kissed her, then walked towards the
entrance. The curtain was pulled aside.

XIV

It was Herr Paul, holding a cigar in one hand, his hat in the other, and
breathing hard.

"Pardon!" he said huskily, "your stairs are steep, and dark! mais en,
fin! nous voila! I have ventured to come for a talk." His glance fell on
the cloaked figure in the shadow.

"Pardon! A thousand pardons! I had no idea! I beg you to forgive this
indiscretion! I may take it you resign pretensions then? You have a
lady here--I have nothing more to say; I only beg a million pardons for
intruding. A thousand times forgive me! Good-night!"

He bowed and turned to go. Christian stepped forward, and let the hood
fall from her head.

"It's I!"

Herr Paul pirouetted.