With a wrench, just as our lips touched, she twisted herself free from my clasp.
"Jan Meert? Gaspard, I had forgotten Jan Meert; in my happiness I had forgotten Jan Meert. He is coming, coming to-night, and I had forgotten everything but you. Do not go by the door lest you meet him. By the window, Gaspard, and—yes—there is Father Paul's cloak, take that and muffle your face. Kiss me once, Gaspard, and go."
The first half of her commands I obeyed, and not once only, but the second——
"When I am done with Jan Meert, ma mie! he owes me a life—Babette's."
"Babette's?"
"Yes."
"And I, am I owed nothing? Oh, my dear! it is not because of Jan Meert that I am afraid, but because of the King who stands behind him. For my sake, Gaspard, yes, for love's sake——ah! what is a dead hate compared to a living love? Think what I was ready to give for you. And Brigitta, do you owe her nothing? She loves this Jan Meert even as—as—I love you."
"And Justice?"
"God has all eternity for Justice, yes, and all time too. I have only you and now. Go for to-night."
"They will call me coward, and how could so brave a heart love a coward?"