"But how can you do it again--after this?" said Hilda.
"You are now the one," replied Gualtier. "You have the power and the opportunity. As for me, you know that I could not become his valet again. The chance was once all my own, but you destroyed it. I dare not venture before him again. It would be ruin to both of us. He would recognize me under any disguise, and have me at once arrested. But if you know any way in which I can be of use, or in which I can have access to his presence, tell me, and I will gladly risk my life to please you."
But Hilda knew of none, and had nothing to say.
"You, and you alone, have the power now," said Gualtier; "this work must be done by you alone."
"Yes," said Hilda, after a pause. "It is true, I have the power--I have the power," she repeated, in a tone of gloomy resolve, "and the power shall be exercised, either on him, _or on myself_."
"On _yourself_!"
"Yes."
"Are you still thinking of such a thing as that?" asked Gualtier, with a shudder.
"That thought," said Hilda, calmly, "has been familiar to me before, as you very well know. It is still a familiar one, and it may be acted upon at any moment."
"Would you dare to do it?"