“I will obey you,” he said with a half laugh, and entered the narrow opening. She shut and fastened the door, and then sprang back to the bellows handle. Just in time; for she had scarcely given one vigorous pull when the curtain parted, and the expected face appeared. She affected to give a start and a little scream.
“Ah, Captain, how you frightened me. I thought it was the devil, who they say once came after a priest in this very chapel.”
His suspicious eyes were searching the place as he replied with a cunning smile, “It is neither the devil nor a priest this time, little Minna, although if the old gentleman has taste he would be more attracted by the organ-blower than by the clergy.”
She made him a mocking curtsey, and, by design or accident, let the wind run off, bringing the music to a stop.
“Highness!” she cried, “here is Captain von Rollmar.”
If it was in apprehension that the Princess joined them she did not show it.
“May I blow for you, Princess?” Captain Udo asked with a bow.
“Thank you, I have finished playing,” she returned coldly. “The light is fading. Come, Minna.”
The vulpine eyes were feasting on her, so contemptuously majestic in comparison with his cunning insignificance. “Do not hurry away,” he suggested with all a vain, clever man’s self-confidence. “It is pleasant here.”
“Yes; but we have stayed long enough. It grows chilly. Let us go, Minna.”