The Princess murmured something to Giles in a sleepy tone, and lounged out of the room bulky but graceful. When she departed and the door was closed, Olga threw open the windows. "Pah!" she said, throwing the pastiles out of doors, "I cannot breathe in this atmosphere. And you, Mr. Ware?" "I prefer untainted airs," he replied, accepting a cigarette. "The airs of the moors and of the mountains," she exclaimed, drawing herself up and looking like a huntress in her free grace. "I also. I love wide spaces and chill winds. If we were in the Carpathians, you and I, how savage our life would be!" "An alluring picture, Princess." "I am not Princess at present. I am Olga!" "Mademoiselle Olga," he corrected. "And what about Anne?" She appeared annoyed by his persistence. "You think of nothing but that woman," she cried impetuously. "Your friend, mademoiselle." "Ach! How stiffly you stay that! My friend! Oh, yes. I would do much for Anne, but why should I do all?" "I do not understand, mademoiselle." With a strong effort she composed herself, and looked at him smiling. "Is it so very difficult to understand?" she asked softly. "Very difficult," replied Ware stolidly. "None so blind as those who won't see," muttered Olga savagely. "Quite so, mademoiselle." He rose to go. "Will you permit me to retire?" "No! I have much to say to you. Please sit down." "If you will talk about Anne," he replied, still standing. "From what you said at our first interview, she evidently knows something of the Scarlet Cross, and----" "I don't know what she does know. She was always careful." "I thought she spoke freely to you." "Oh, as a woman always does speak to one of her own sex. With reservations, Mr. Ware. Still, I could tell you something likely to throw some light on the mystery." "If you only would." "It would not lead you to her hiding-place." "What if I knew it already, mademoiselle?" She stood before him, her hands clenched, her breathing coming and going in quick, short gasps. "You can't know that." "But _you_ do," he said suddenly. "I may, or I may not," she replied quickly; "and if you know, why not seek her out?" "I intend to try." "To try! Then you are not sure where she is?" said Olga eagerly. "Before I answer that, mademoiselle, I must know if you are my friend or Anne's--enemy," and he looked at her straightly. "You have put the matter--the position in the right way. I am your friend and Anne's--no, I am not her enemy. But I won't give her to you. No, I won't. You must guess that I----" "Mademoiselle," he interrupted quickly, "spare yourself and me unnecessary humiliation. You know that I love Anne, that I love no one but her. I would give my life to find her to prove her innocence." "Even your life will not bring her to you or save her from the law. Giles"--she held out her arms--"I love you." "The heat of the room is too much for you. I will go."