"Presently. Do you know that you are the most beautiful being in all Dreiberg?"
"I am in a hurry," said Gretchen.
"There is plenty of time."
"Not to listen to foolish speeches."
"I am not going to let you pass till I have had a kiss."
"Ah!" Battle flamed up in Gretchen's eyes. Somewhere in the past, in some remote age, her forebears had been men-at-arms or knights in the crusades.
"You are very hard to please. Some women—"
"But what kind of women?" bitingly. "Not such as I should care to meet. Will you let me by peacefully?"
"After the toll, after the toll!"
Too late she started to run. He laughed and caught hold of her. Slowly but irresistibly he drew her toward his heart. The dead-white of her face should have warned him. With a supreme effort she freed herself and struck him across the face; and there was a man's strength in the flat of her hand. Quick as a flash she whirled round and ran up the street, he hot upon her heels. He was raging now with pain and chagrin. The one hope for Gretchen now lay in the Black Eagle; and into the tavern she darted excitedly.