The colour of shame tinged her cheek as she spoke. What right had she to detain him a prisoner against his will? Even the sanction of that great potentate, Lord St. Helens, was proving but a sorry salve to her conscience. Her cheek paled again when she found that Wilfrid remained indifferent both to her presence and to her words. “Give me your parole not to attempt escape, and you are free to wander at will through the castle and the isle.” There was no reply. With a fresh sinking of heart she recalled Wilfrid’s utterance that he had spoken his last word to her. “You are angry, I see; but I, too, have cause for anger in your resolve to do hurt to the Czar. Give me credit for good intentions. I am acting for the best interests of both parties. Why should two good men seek to slay each other?” Still Wilfrid sat staring stonily at the sea. Observing in what direction his eyes were set she drew near to the window, ostensibly to arrange a curtain, in reality to come within the sphere of his vision. It would be a pleasure if only she could attract his look. His glance fell on her form, apparently without noticing it; his eyes seemed to look through and beyond her. Humiliated beyond measure Pauline turned away, and with a quick step quitted the apartment. The moment she had gone Wilfrid allowed his hitherto grim face to relax into a smile. “You are not so hard in grain as I thought, Mistress Pauline. You are beginning to feel remorse, and that remorse, if I err not, will work for my good.” Time flowed quietly on. The sunlight stole from point to point along the tapestried wall, till finally it took its leave of the room altogether, and still Wilfrid sat in silent meditation. Again the grating of the key and an opening of the door; and again Wilfrid showed his indifference by not turning his head. This time it was two prettily attired maids who entered, each bearing a tray laden with hot dishes, which they proceeded to arrange upon the table. “Will the little father be pleased to dine?” The little father paid no attention, though being mightily hungry he had secretly to confess that the savour arising from the dishes was very appetising. The maids repeated their words. Receiving no reply they glanced in surprise at each other, whispered together for a moment, and then withdrew. “They will tell their mistress that the Englishman refuses to eat. She will come here again.” Nor was he wrong. Ere the lapse of an hour Pauline was again in the room, and saw that the repast was cold and untouched. “You cannot live on air.” Wilfrid sat, the same impassive figure as before; to her eye it looked as if he had not moved a muscle since her previous visit.