I believed it now and felt very happy as I kissed her and she kissed me in response.
"I owe it you, Christabel," she whispered. "I will wait."
I went out with the General and closed the door upon her.
"You must do all that may have to be done now," I said, weakly. "I have finished, and can do no more. Count Gustav is there with Colonel Katona and Count Karl. Will you fetch him?" and I pointed to the room from which the sounds of voices loud in anger were to be heard.
But even as I spoke, the door was flung open violently, and Colonel Katona and Gustav came out.
"No, by God, no, you are too great a villain," cried the Colonel fiercely, and then seeing who was with me, he stopped abruptly.
In the pause I glanced through into the room and saw Karl staring after the other two.
Our eyes met, and he flung up his hands with a gesture of consternation and despair.