"Kurt!"
"Is it?" The heavy colour suddenly flooded his face; lie drew a deep, sharp breath. "Is he still in this neighbourhood? Is he, perhaps, coming here to see you? Is that why you are awake and dressed at this hour?"
"Kurt, you have no right——"
"I am at liberty to ask you these questions——"
"No! It is an impertinence——"
"Do you regard it that way? Karen! Is this what has happened—" He choked, turned his congested face, glaring about him at the four walls of the room. Suddenly some instinct of suspicion seized him, possessed him, brought him to his feet in one bound. And instantly the girl rose, too.
"I know why you are awake and dressed!" he said harshly. "You are expecting him! Are you?"
She could not answer; her breath had deserted her, and she merely stood there, one hand resting on the table, her frightened eyes fixed on the man confronting her.
But at his first step forward she sprang in front of him. She strove to speak; the infernal blaze in his eyes terrified her.
"Is this what you have done to me?" he said; and moved to pass her, but she caught his arm, and he halted.