“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; then, turning to her daughter, she added, “Go, my child.”
Edith Irwin had quickly recovered her composure. Standing up, her head proudly raised, she faced the indignant lady.