nerate, about the fate of which
hung the peace of Europe. Hugh Renwick!
Her mind refused her. Fatigue and want of sleep were making her
light-headed. She would not believe. She shut her eyes and by an effort
of will managed to get control of her voice. "I find that I am very
tired, Captain Goritz," she said quietly.
"Ah, it was very thoughtless--inconsiderate of me," he said, with sudden
accents of civility. "It is very painful to believe ill of those to whom
one is attached," he finished suavely.
"You are mistaken," she said slowly. "There is no attachment between
Herr Renwick and me."
"A friend, let us say, then," he put in keenly, "in whom one is
disappointed."
"It is nothing to me, Captain Goritz," she said, meeting his eyes
bravely, "what Herr Renwick is or does."
He smiled and bowed.
"Still," he said with his exasperating pertinacity, "it is of course
interesting to know the truth. It would perhaps be still more
interesting to know what Herr Renwick has to say in regard to the
matter."
"I do not care what Herr Renwick would have to say. I do not expect to
see Herr Renwick again, Captain Goritz, in Vienna or elsewhere."
He smiled at her politely.
"But you will admit, it is not within the bounds of possibility. Herr
Renwick is clever--indefatigable----"
Marishka started up in her seat.
"You mean?"
"Merely that Herr Renwick is not easily discouraged. I would not be in
the least surprised if he followed us on to Sarajevo."
Marishka stared at her companion for a moment and then sank back in her
seat.
"Oh," she gasped.
Her long sustained effort to keep pace with events had been too much for
her. Her faculties failed to respond, and she closed her eyes in an
attempt to obliterate all sight and sound. Dimly she heard the voice of
Captain Goritz above the grinding of the brakes of the train.
"I am sorry that you are so tired, Countess Strahni. I shall now leave
you to your own devices. We have reached Brueck, and I shall go to
another compartment. I shall arrange with the guard to see to your
comfort."
The train stopped and the guard opened the door.
"Good-night, _liebchen_," he said with a smile. And as she opened her
eyes in astonishment, she heard him say to the guard:
"Frau Lieutenant von Arnstorf desires to sleep. I am going to smoke with
a friend in the adjoining carriage. She is not to be disturbed. You
understand."
The man saluted and closed the door, and Marishka
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