And then she recognised him.
Behind them, in a vault that was shaped like a pointed devil’s-ear, one man’s hand seized another man’s arm.
“Hush! Keep quiet!” whispered the voice, which was soundless and yet which had the effect of laughter—like the laughter of spiteful mockery.
The girl’s face was as a crystal, filled with snow. She made a movement as if for flight. But her knees would not obey her. Reeds which stand in troubled water do not tremble more than her shoulders trembled.
“If you have come to betray us, son of Joh Fredersen, then you will have but little blessing from it,” she said softly, but in a clear voice.
He stood up and remained standing before her.
“Is that all the faith you have in me?” he asked gravely.
She said nothing, but looked at him. Her eyes filled with tears.