audacity. She had come to the window by a different path
from the one he had watched, therefore she had taken him unawares,
before he had time to escape, as he had planned. He was caught fairly,
and must save himself as best he could without preparation.

If her reproach forestalled his excuse, he was lost. He must step into
the breach at whatever risk. No time to weigh words; he must let loose
the first that sprang to his lips.

"I see what you think of me," he said. "I see you think I was watching
you. I swear I wasn't, though I knew you were in the garden with--the
Emperor. Wait--you must listen. You must hear my justification. I was
sent to this room to fetch you. For your sake, how could I go back and
say you had disappeared--together? I looked out into the garden and
saw you--with him. I saw from your manner that--he had made you
suffer. I was half mad with rage, guessing--guessing something which
one word you let drop as you came in, told me had happened. He is my
sovereign, but--he has insulted you. Let me be your knight, as in days
of old. Let me defend you, for I love you. I waited here to tell you
this, as you came, so that, if you would, we might announce an
engagement--"

If Virginia's eyes had been daggers, he would have fallen at her feet,
pierced to the heart. For one long second she looked at him without
speaking, her face eloquent. Then she went by him with the proud
bearing of a queen.

Egon was stricken dumb. Dully he watched her move across the room to a
door which led into a corridor. He heard the whisper of her satin
dress, and saw the changing lights and shadows on its creamy folds,
under the crystal chandeliers; he saw the white reflection, like a
spirit, mirrored deep under the polished surface of the floor.

Never had she been more beautiful; but she was beautiful in his eyes
no longer. He had hurt her pride; but she had stabbed his vanity; and
to wound Egon von Breitstein's vanity was to strike at his life. He
hated the girl, hated her so sharply that his nerves ached with the
intensity of his hatred; and the only relief he could have would be
through reprisal.

He had not been able to deceive her. She knew that he had been spying,
and it was fortunate for his future, he realized already, that she had
broken with the Emperor. He must do all he could, and do it quickly,
to prevent a reconciliation, lest she should work him injury.

As for his hastily stammered proposal, it was a good