"Ask, then."
"Suppose I should be obliged to commence here with the query: 'Where did you make Joan Obrevic's acquaintance?'"
"I have already told you that he is a stranger to me."
"Yes, you said so, but I don't believe it."
Danira drew herself up proudly. "Baron von Steinach, I must beg you not to extend your educational efforts to me; I am not Edith."
"But you are the commandant's adopted daughter and enjoy the rights of a child in his household. I must remind you of the fact, since you seem to have forgotten it."
The young girl turned pale and was in the act of making a hasty reply, but, as though warned by some sudden recollection, controlled herself. Yet a contemptuous expression hovered around her lips as she replied:
"At least, until now, the commandant's house has been free from--spies."
Gerald started as if he had received a blow, his face flushed crimson and his hand involuntarily grasped the hilt of his sword. No one would have supposed that his clear eyes could blaze with so fierce a fire as at that moment, and his voice, usually so calm, sounded hollow and half stifled.
"That word came from a woman's lips. Had a man dared to so insult me, I should have had but one answer for him."