"This is terrible," she said, "and just as we hoped the mischief was at an end. Your countrymen have much to answer for, mein Herr."
"Nay," replied Stephen, to whom she spoke. "The Hungarians fight against men; they do not attack women and children."
"But," said the young girl, "the rebels acted very unfairly in firing on the soldiers this morning."
"And unwisely, too," answered Rakoczy. "They are in a worse position now than they were before. They are bound to capitulate within a few hours."
"Meanwhile," said I, blushing boyishly, "if agreeable to you, we propose to remain here till the danger is over."
The baroness thanked us warmly for what she was pleased to call our chivalrous conduct, while the fräulein's eyes spoke as eloquently as her mother's lips.
"My servants are well armed," the elder lady continued, "and Franz is a host in himself, but we shall certainly feel more secure, knowing you are with us. Yet how strange it is that we should be relying on the services of three Hungarian gentlemen!"
"Really," exclaimed the fräulein with a merry laugh, "we ought rather to be afraid of you. But why do your people quarrel with us, and drive away our poor emperor?"
Rakoczy drew out a locket, which hung round his neck by a fine gold chain.
"Do you recognize that picture?" he asked, releasing the spring.