“Did I know,” she asked, “that you were coming?”
He was silent. In his heart he had already absolved her.
“Countess,” he said, “forgive me. I spoke hastily. Duke of Reist, I appeal to you. This is your house, and I entered it openly and upon a legitimate errand. I remained here as your guest. I demand a safe conduct from it. Order that man to remove his soldiers.”
Marie stepped forward.
“Nicholas,” she cried, “he is right. We cannot have the Reist house turned into a nest of brigands. Baron Domiloff, these are my apartments. Your presence is an intrusion which I do not choose to tolerate. Be so good as to withdraw and take your men with you.”
“My dear lady,” he declared, “it is impossible.”
A fierce answer trembled upon Marie’s lips, but Nicholas held out his hand.
“Silence, Marie,” he said. “Mr. Brand has made an appeal which it is very difficult for me to ignore. He is under my roof, and to some extent he is entitled to my protection. But there are limits to the obligations even of hospitality. There have been things spoken of in his presence which must not be repeated.”
“The safety and welfare of Theos,” Domiloff said, solemnly, “must eclipse all other considerations. Mr. Brand came here of his own accord.”
Reist turned to Brand.