"Yes, his mistress—as my queen is my mistress."
"Ah!" There was a peculiar gleam in the lovely baroness's eyes. Then she came nearer to Herr Bernat, and asked with womanly shyness: "And you believe the count—loves me?"
"That I do not know, baroness, for he did not tell me; but I think you know that he loves you. That he deserves your love I can swear! No one can become thoroughly acquainted with Count Vavel and not love him. I went to the castle to ask him to join the noble militia, and he let me see the lady about whom so much has been said. She had excellent reasons, baroness, for veiling her lovely face, for whoever had seen her mother's pictures would have recognized her at once. When Count Vavel goes into battle to help defend our fatherland, he must leave the royal maid in a mother's hands. Will you fill that office? Will you take the desolate maid to your heart? And now, Katinka hugom, give me your answer to the Count's words."
With sudden impulsiveness the baroness extended both hands to Herr Bernat, and said earnestly:
"With all my heart I consent to be Count Vavel's betrothed wife!"
"And I may fly to him with this answer?"
"Yes—on condition that you take me with you."
"What, baroness? You wish to go to the castle—now?"
"Yes, now—this very moment—in these clothes! I have no one to ask what I should or should not do, and—he needs me."
When his emissary had departed, Count Vavel began to reflect whether he had not been rather hasty. Had he done right in giving to the world his zealously guarded secret?