a rajah."

Heideck knitted his brows impatiently. The young woman, whose keen eyes
had noticed it, went on impetuously: "Although it seems you are tired
of me, I will not leave you. Distance is love's worst enemy, and you are
the only tie that binds me to life."

Heideck cast down his eyes, so as not to betray his thoughts. Since
he had read the papers, which gave him a clearer idea of the political
situation, his mind was fuller than before of warlike visions. He loved
Edith, but love did not fill his life so completely as it did hers. The
news in the Italian and French papers had put him into a regular fever
after his long absence from Europe. The dissolution of the Triple
Alliance, and Germany's new alliance with France and Russia, had caused
a complete alteration in the political horizon. He heard the stamping
of horses, the clash of arms, the thunder of cannon. The war was full of
importance and boundless possibilities.

It was a question of Germany's existence! Her losses up to the present
were estimated at more than three milliards. All the German colonies had
been seized by the English, hundreds of German merchant-men were lost,
German foreign trade was completely paralysed, German credit was shaken.
Unless Germany were finally victorious, the war meant her extinction as
a great Power.

He sprang up.

"It must be, dearest Edith; we must soon part!"

She turned pale. With a look of anguish she caught at his hand and held
it fast.

"Do not leave me!"

"I must have perfect freedom--at present. After the war I belong
entirely to you."

"No, no, you cannot be so cruel! You must not leave me!"

"We shall meet again! I love you and will be true to you. But now I ask
a sacrifice from you. I am a German officer; my life now belongs to my
country."

She slid from her chair to the ground and clasped his knees.

"I cannot leave you; it will bring you no happiness, if you destroy me."

"Be strong, Edith. I always used to admire your firm, powerful will.
Have you all at once lost all sense, all reason?"

"I have lost everything," she cried, "everything save you. And I will
not give you up!"

"Mrs. Irwin!" cried a voice of horror at this moment, "can it be
possible?"

Edith got up hurriedly.

Mrs. Kennedy and her daughter had entered unobserved. They had witnessed
the singular situation with utter astonishment and heard Edith's last
words.

"Good Heavens, can it be possible?" stammered the worthy lady