Something in his tone checked the protest on her lips
They walked quietly along the narrow street, the duenna behind, climbed a slight ascent, and stopped in front of a house standing apart, and surrounded by a large garden.
She turned to him, laying one hand upon a small wicket gate.
"One moment," he implored. "Count Poltavo—— Your promise——"
"I gave my pledge to him if he would save my father," she said sadly. "That he has not done." She opened the gate.
"But if he should——" he insisted.
She lifted her head proudly. "Then I should redeem my pledge."
She vanished into the darkness of the garden, and the young man retraced his steps to the hotel.