Her eyes blazed and she answered, "Yes."
"Good God, Helena! What is it you want me to be? Is it a man or a manikin?"
At that moment the young Lieutenant who was the General's Aide-de-camp came in to say that the Consul-General and the Prime Minister had arrived, and required Colonel Lord's attendance.
"Presently," said Gordon, and as soon as the Lieutenant had gone he turned to Helena again.
"Helena," he said, "there is not a moment to lose. Remember, this is the last time I can see you before I am required to act one way or the other. God knows what may happen before I come out of that room. Will you send me into it without any choice?"
She was breathing hard and biting her under lip.
"Your happiness is dearer to me than anything else in life, dear, but I am a man, not a child, and if I am to follow your father in order not to lose you, I must know why. Will you tell me?"
Without raising her eyes Helena answered, "No!"
"Very well!" he said. "In that case it must be as the fates determine," and straightening his sword-belt, he stepped to the door.
Helena looked up at him and in a fluttering voice called "Gordon!"