The offer was made with perfect courtesy and reserve, but Rojanow's eyes flashed triumphantly. Chance was avenging him now on the unapproachable one, who would not suffer his assistance even in the disengaging of her veil from a thorn bush. She had now to entrust herself unconditionally to his help, there was no choice but to allow herself to be carried in his arms to the other bank.
He drew near as if the permission sought had been granted, but she recoiled.
"I thank you, Herr Rojanow."
Hartmut smiled with an irony which he took no pains to conceal. He was master of the situation now and intended to remain so.
"Do you desire to turn back?" he asked. "More than an hour would be lost, whereas if we cross here the other side will be reached in a few moments. You can trust yourself to my arms without fear--the crossing will be quite without danger."
"I think so, too," was the calm reply, "and therefore I shall try it alone."
"Alone? That is impossible, Fraulein!"
"Impossible to walk through a forest brook? I do not consider that a particularly heroic deed."
"But the water is deeper than you think. You will get a thorough wetting, and besides--it is really impossible."
"I am not effeminate in the least and do not catch cold easily. Be so kind as to go first. I will follow."