“Give me your parole not to attempt escape, and you are free to wander at will through the castle and the isle.”
There was no reply. With a fresh sinking of heart she recalled Wilfrid’s utterance that he had spoken his last word to her.
“You are angry, I see; but I, too, have cause for anger in your resolve to do hurt to the Czar. Give me credit for good intentions. I am acting for the best interests of both parties. Why should two good men seek to slay each other?”
Still Wilfrid sat staring stonily at the sea.
Observing in what direction his eyes were set she drew near to the window, ostensibly to arrange a curtain, in reality to come within the sphere of his vision. It would be a pleasure if only she could attract his look. His glance fell on her form, apparently without noticing it; his eyes seemed to look through and beyond her.
Humiliated beyond measure Pauline turned away, and with a quick step quitted the apartment.
The moment she had gone Wilfrid allowed his hitherto grim face to relax into a smile.
“You are not so hard in grain as I thought, Mistress Pauline. You are beginning to feel remorse, and that remorse, if I err not, will work for my good.”
Time flowed quietly on. The sunlight stole from point to point along the tapestried wall, till finally it took its leave of the room altogether, and still Wilfrid sat in silent meditation.
Again the grating of the key and an opening of the door; and again Wilfrid showed his indifference by not turning his head.