“How?” she demanded, with the imperious light in her eyes.
He had got past restraint now, and was aggressively insistent. “I mean,” he went on, “that I have suspected you of playing a trick upon me, of showing me unlooked-for, unhoped-for favour to further a certain purpose. How else could I account for your gracious condescension?”
There was a touch of mockery in his speech. She welcomed it, at least it was better than tenderness. But it was, considering their positions, rude and she resented it.
“You are using a freedom which is the best reproof to my mistake,” she said coldly. “It is scarcely gallant or respectful to suggest that I have played a trick upon you.”
“You compel me, Princess, to speak plainly,” he retorted. “If your high station does not prevent your using your powers to amuse yourself with me it is hardly fair to screen yourself behind it. I am not the fool you have sought to make me. I know you have a lover.”
She flushed. “You are insolent, Captain von Rollmar. It is you who avail yourself of your father’s position to take strange liberties. Please do not say any more. I am sorry that I took any notice of you.”
She moved sideways to get past him, but he still barred her way. “Do not add to your discourtesy,” she said with chilling contempt.
He showed no heed of her command, standing before her with lowering face and ablaze with passion. “You must hear me, Princess,” he insisted hoarsely. “There are spirits easier to call up than to lay. You spoke just now of my father, of his position,” he continued rapidly, as though determined to get out the speech which was at his lips. “That position is one of the most powerful in Europe; and, incidentally, it places me, his son, almost on a level with you. No, hear me out,” for with an exclamation of impatient scorn, she had moved away. “So there is nothing so very ridiculous and unheard-of in my pretensions.”
“Your pretensions?” she repeated, disdainfully smiling.
“My pretensions,” he maintained doggedly, “to love you, to seek your hand.”