'What is it? Something has happened,' she said.
Rallywood looked down at her. The beautiful eyes like starlit darkness, her clear-hued loveliness, the soft dusky curls about her brow, her girlish reserves and petulances, all her sweet unapproachable personality enhanced to pain the knowledge that he was looking his last upon them.
'Nothing to distress you, Mademoiselle, because M. Selpdorf knows all about it.'
'Then tell me; I know so much already.'
'I wish I could. But I think his Excellency might prefer to tell you himself.'
'Is it good news, then? Major Counsellor has succeeded? Then why are you so sad?'
'Sad, Mademoiselle?' he answered with a smile. 'Men often look sad when they are only hungry and dog-tired.'
'Then eat,' she said. 'Let me give you some wine.'
She drew him to the table and poured out a glass of wine.
'To the success of Maäsau and of England,' she said. Then touching it with her lips in the graceful fashion of Maäsau, she handed it to him.