"I pray that you will waste no words. As you love me, Hugh, you will do what I ask and be silent."
"What can I do?"
"Go with me to Vienna tonight."
"That would be most imprudent. Your reputation——"
"I care nothing. Will you accompany me?"
Renwick shrugged. "Of course."
"Then do as I bid you. I will show you a way out to a small gate from the garden by which you can reach the public road. Go to your Inn. Make arrangements for an automobile. I will join you tonight." She peered in all directions through the foliage and then led the way through the bushes in a direction opposite to that by which they had come. Renwick followed silently, his mind turbulent. What was his duty? And where did it conflict with Marishka's mad plan? What would his Ambassador have wished him to do? And in what could he serve England best? He must have time to think. For the present at least Marishka should have her way. Indeed, had he wished, he saw no means of dissuading her. He would go with her to Vienna, make a clean breast of things to his Chief, before Marishka could carry out her plan. After that the matter would be out of his hands.
The girl descended some steps to a narrow gate in the hedge. Here Renwick paused a moment to clasp her in his arms.
"Belovèd," she whispered, "not now. Go. Follow the path to the wall. You must climb it. Let no one see you descend. Au revoir. God be with you."
And she was gone.