"You would fail. There is but one exit from Szolnok—the drawbridge—and that is continually guarded."
"You have ordered your men to shoot me?"
"No—but you will not pass."
"I see. Your contrition does not go as far as that."
"Not beyond the walls of Schloss Szolnok," he said coolly.
"And you ask me to believe in the integrity of your motives? What was the use, Herr Hauptmann? I could understand duplicity to me in the performance of a duty, but to practice your machine-made emotions upon my simplicity—! I could hardly forgive you that."
He kept himself well in hand and even smiled again.
"You wrong me, Countess Strahni. I have spoken the truth."
"You cannot deny me the privilege of doubting you," she replied.
"What further proof would you have me give you that I am honest in my love for you?"