ement, he hunted for Muller's room and discovered it on
the second floor. Here he found shaving materials, and rapidly cleared
his face of the young beard that he despised. Muller's clothing was
scattered about, and he judged from it that the forester was a man of
about his own size. After some hesitation, he took off his own coat and
put on a brilliant Tyrolean jacket which he surmised the owner reserved
for occasions of state.

"If you come, Mr. Muller, I'll try to explain to you why I do this,"
said John aloud. "I know you'll forgive me when I tell you it's in honor
of a lady."

Then he laughed at himself in a glass. It was a gorgeous jacket, but one
could wear more brilliant clothes in Europe than in America, and his
appearance was certainly improved. He returned to the great room and
someone sitting in the chair before the fire rose to receive him.

It was Julie all in white, a semi-evening dress that heightened in a
wonderful fashion her glorious, blond beauty. He had often thought how
this slender maid would bloom into a woman and now he beheld her here in
the lodge, his prisoner and not Auersperg's. A swift smile passed over
her face as she saw him, and bowing low before him she said:

"I see, Mr. John, that you have not wasted your time. You come arrayed
in purple and gold."

"But it's borrowed plumage, Miss Julie."

"And so is mine."

"It can't be. I'm sure it was made for you."

"The real owner wouldn't say so."

"You will forgive me if I tell you something, won't you?"

"It depends upon what it is."

The red in her checks deepened a little. The gray eyes of John were
speaking in very plain language to Julie.

"I must say it, stern necessity compels, if I don't I'll be very
unhappy."

"I wouldn't have you miserable."

"I want to tell you, Julie, that you are overwhelmingly beautiful
tonight."

"I've always heard that Americans were very bold, it's true."

"But remember the provocation, Julie."

"Ah, sir, I have no protection and you take advantage of it."

"There's Suzanne."

"But she's in the kitchen."

"Where I hope she'll stay until she's wanted."

She was silent and the red in her cheeks deepened again. But the blue
eyes and the gray yet talked together.

"I worship you, your beauty and your great soul, but your great soul
most of all," said the gray.

"Any woman would be proud to have a lover who has followed her through
so many and such great dangers, and who has rescued h