"I promised you I would not go," he responded, "and I would not willingly break my word to any one, certainly not to you, Fräulein."
"I was angry when I heard you had left the inn," she said, "and I spoke unkindly of you. There has been an ache in my heart ever since that nothing but confession and remission will cure."
"I grant the remission gladly," answered Max. "There was flattery in your anger."
The girl laughed softly and, clasping her hands over her knee, spoke with a sigh.
"I think women have the harder part of life in everything. I again ask you to promise me that you will not leave Peronne within a month."
"I cannot promise you that, Fräulein," answered Max.
"You will some day--soon, perhaps--know my reasons," said Yolanda, "and if they do not prove good I am willing to forfeit your esteem. That is the greatest hostage I can give."
"I cannot promise," answered Max, stubbornly.
"I offer you another inducement, one that will overmatch the small weight of my poor wishes. I promise to bring you to meet this Mary of Burgundy whom you came to woo. I cannot present you, but I will see that Twonette brings about the meeting. I tell you, as I have already told Sir Karl, that it is said I resemble this princess, so you must not mistake her for me."
When Max told me of this offer I wondered if the girl had been testing him, and a light dawned on me concerning her motives.