“Bring me her consent,” he had said; but this appeared no more than the ordinary caution he would employ, seeing that he was not likely to set her at liberty without some such pledge. What he had really had in mind, however, I was to learn later.
At the prison no hesitation was shown about complying with his order. I was shown into a bare room with a small table and a couple of chairs—a place just one remove from an ordinary cell; and after I had waited some few minutes Helga was brought to me.
She was very pale, but a flush of surprise, and I think delight, swept over her face at seeing me. She just put her hands into mine as I stretched them out to her and left them there while I gazed into her eyes.
“You are very pale, dearest,” I said at length. It was the first time I had ever used such a term of endearment, and her eyes and a smile noticed it.
“I am so glad,” she answered, with sweet inconsequence. “But I don’t in the least know how you have done it. It must be some new American method.”
“This is the American method,” I whispered, and drew her to me till her face was close to mine, and then I held her in a passionate embrace while I pressed my lips to hers.
“I have been so anxious for you,” she murmured, putting her arms about my neck. “I did not care for myself. I am so glad.” And then of her own volition she kissed me again, and let her head fall on my shoulder with a sigh.
For a while I had no need for words, and just stood lost in the delight of her new tenderness and witching mood of love.
“You caught me so weak,” she said at length, “in the joy of seeing you safe. Now satisfy my curiosity. I am only a woman, you see.”
“I have come from Prince Kalkov to tell you you are free, sweetheart.”