"Your offer comes too late," she said coldly. "These two gentlemen and my servant Franz are ready to protect me from all the cut-throats in Vienna, either in or out of uniform."
The stranger's face turned white, but his eyes burned like fire, and I prepared for mischief.
He controlled his passion, however, bowed low, and made a sign to the Nationals, who stood back, leaving the way to the gates clear.
As for the girl, she took no further notice of him, but, still leaning on my arm, walked out haughtily.
Franz marched in front with his club, Stephen, who had replaced his pistols, followed, while we two brought up the rear.
It was difficult to carry on a conversation, owing to the shouting; and indeed it suited me well enough to walk in silence, and to glance from time to time at the face of my beautiful companion.
At last Franz stopped before a large house, and the fräulein, making a gracious inclination of the head, begged us to enter, that her mother might thank us for what we had done.
Stephen, who cared little for the society of ladies, would have declined the honour, but I did not give him the chance, thanking her myself for her courtesy.
So the three of us--the lady leading--passed over the threshold, and, traversing a wide hall, mounted a stately staircase, which led to a magnificent apartment, as sumptuously furnished as any I had seen in Paris.
Here we were left by our charming guide, who, however, shortly returned with an older lady, grave and ceremonious, but no doubt kindly at heart.