"Thank God you still are mine!" he replied, clasping her again in his arms, and pressing a kiss upon her lips.
There came a cautious knock on the door. Catherine gave a start.
"The Landgrave," she whispered, "coming to the appointment!"
She gazed up at Dick, in questioning silence. Gretel, who evidently understood the situation, cast an inquiring look at Catherine, and stood as, if awaiting orders. No one in the room moved.
The knock was repeated. Dick had now made up his mind. "He brings proof of Gerard's safety?" he whispered, interrogatively.
"Yes, or he would not be here," replied Catherine, under her breath.
Dick motioned Gretel to come close to him. "Open the door, in a moment," he said to the girl, "but do it in a fumbling way, so as to delay him as long as possible." Dick then led Catherine quickly into the alcove, the curtains closing behind them.
There was a third knock, a little louder and more insistent. But Gretel could now be heard at the door, which she first locked and then unlocked, in order to carry out Dick's instructions. When she finally opened it, the Landgrave stepped swiftly in, retaining the noiseless tread he had used in the corridor. His triumphant, expectant face, when he saw only Gretel in the room, took on a look of sharp disappointment.
"The devil!" he said, in a kind of quick growl. "No one here?"
The maid, not knowing what to say, pretended to be absorbed in fastening the door, which she had promptly closed.