"Not if you persist in your plan to carry me to Germany."
He asked her permission to smoke, and when she had granted it he went on coolly.
"Perhaps something may happen to prevent the execution of my plan," he said.
"What?" she stammered.
He searched her face eagerly for a moment.
"You may be sure, Countess Strahni," he said in a half-whisper, "that it is very painful to me that you should think of me as an enemy. Enemy I am not. It is my duty to take you to Germany, but it is very painful to me to do anything which makes you unhappy. Here, safe from detection, I am still doing my duty. And in remaining here you, too, are safe. Will you not try to be contented—to endure my society just for a little while? I want to show you that I can be as other men——"
She laughed to hide her fears.
"All men are alike where a woman is concerned—"
"Will you try? I will be your slave—your servant. Within the castle you may come and go as you please. No one shall approach you without your permission. You see, I am not an exacting jailer. All I ask is the hope of your friendship, a glimpse of your returning smile, and such companionship as you care to give me. It is not much. Do I not deserve it? Bitte, think a little."
Marishka gasped and fought the impulse to run from him, for his face was very near her shoulder, his voice very close to her ear.