Joseph was silent. Ian went on:
"But nowadays we've got to take chances. And Vanda will never want for what I--I mean Mother and I can share with her. But there's the other reason against your marriage, now."
"What's that?" His handsome face grew cold again. Ian did not answer at once; the old struggle between honesty and hatred was going on within his heart. He decided to let his foe decide.
"Put yourself in my place," he began huskily. "You come here, a prisoner, in a German uniform. You're all but shot as a spy. Let's not go into the whys and wherefores. But would you, in my place, let Vanda marry Roman, if the things happened that have happened to you, till he had redeemed his promise to fight on the right side?"
Joseph got up and faced his cousin.
"You're the head of the family, I'll not go against your decision," he said quietly.
"I don't want to decide."
"But why?"
"I'd rather not say."
Joseph gave a little laugh. "We may as well be frank with each other and have it out."