"Karl?" It was like an echo.
"Yes." There was war in his voice and attitude and not without reason. He had wronged this woman, not with direct intention it was true, but nevertheless he had wronged her; and her presence here could mean nothing less than that fate had selected this spot for the reckoning. She could topple down his carefully reared schemes with the same ease with which he had blown over hers. And to him these schemes were life to his breath and salt to his blood, everything. What was one woman? cynically. "Yes, it is I," in the tongue native to them both.
"And what do you here?"
"I am Admiral Killigrew's private secretary." He wet his lips. He was not so strong before this woman as he had expected to be. The glamour of the old days was faintly rekindled at the sight of her. And she was beautiful.
"Then, this is the house?" in a whisper.
"It is."
"You terrify me!"
"Hildegarde, this is your scheme," shrugging. "Tell them all you know; break me, ruin me. Here is a fair opportunity for revenge."
"God forbid!" she cried with a shiver. "Were you guilty of all crimes,
I could only remember that once I loved you."
"You shame me," he replied frankly, but with infinite relief. "You have outdone me in magnanimity. Will you forgive me?"