sent to her room by Ena when the German
appeared. She heard his voice behind her, even before she had summoned
courage for the interview.

"My compliments upon your appearance, Countess," he said soberly. "I
hope that you find yourself well upon the road to recovery."

"Thanks," she replied in a stifled tone. "I am feeling much stronger."

"It has been a very pitiful experience for you--one which has caused me
many qualms of conscience," he muttered, "but I have tried to atone and
would beg you to believe that all my happiness for the future depends
upon your forgiveness."

"I can--never forgive--never----" said Marishka, her throat closing
painfully. "I hoped to die," she sighed, "but even that you denied me."

"I have only done my duty--my duty, Countess--a sweeter duty than that
which urged me to Vienna--to undo the wrong that I have done you, to
bring again the roses into your cheeks."

She waved her hand in deprecation. "For your courtesy, for the kindness
of your servants, I thank you. But for what you are yourself--only the
God that made you can understand--can forgive--that."

He straightened a moment and then slowly leaned against the wall beside
her, his chin cupped in his hand.

"You are cruel----"

"I am truthful. Anything else from me to you would be beneath my
womanhood. I would kill you if I had the strength or if I dared." She
gave a bitter laugh. "It is at least something, that we understand each
other."

He paused a long moment before replying.

And then, "_Do_ we understand each other? I hope that you will permit me
to speak a few words in extenuation of a person you have never known--of
Leo Goritz, the man."

"A man who makes war upon a woman--who uses violence to compel
obedience----"

"A woman--but an enemy to my country. Between my duty to Germany and my
own inclinations, I had no choice. I was an instrument of the State,
pitiless, exact and exacting. You have spoken the truth. So shall I. Had
my duty to Germany required it of me, I should have killed you with my
own hand--even if you had been my sister."

She gazed at him with alien eyes.

"It is monstrous! I would to God you had."

He bowed.

"That is merely my official conception of my obligation to the
Fatherland," he said quietly.

She still gazed at him unbelieving, but he met her glance squarely.

"You need not believe me unless you choose, but I speak the truth. My
orders were to bring you safely into Germany, or