_Adr._ [_Breaking the silence_] Is there anything to say? _Soph._ [_Not turning_] The horrible thing you think of me is not true. _Adr._ We will not talk about that. _Soph._ [_Turns, eagerly_] You have forgiven me? _Adr._ Yes. _Soph._ As the saints forgive, or for love of me? _Adr._ For love of God, not you! _Soph._ [_Smiling_] It's the same thing, isn't it? _Adr._ [_In embarrassment_] I--what did you mean? _Soph._ Come, sit down. [_She takes a seat. He does not move_] Do rest. You will drop. [_He is silent_] So you do not love me? _Adr._ I have not time to amuse your highness---- _Soph._ [_Rising_] Nor I to be amused. I know the truth. You do love me. I saw it in your face when you thought I had been false. I knew then that I was more than a mere traitor. I was beloved. And in spite of the suffering--the sadness--the shame--I was glad. _Adr._ [_Trembling_] Glad? _Soph._ First, let me tell you that I _am_ Petrizoff's spy. [_He drops to a seat_] He wanted to convict you. You are so important, it seems, that proof from a high source was necessary. I offered to supply it. [_Smiles_] Don't you see? I was afraid some one else might be successful. _Adr._ [_Rising_] I see. You are only false to Petrizoff. _Soph._ [_Hotly_] I am only his good angel. I have kept him from doing terrible things by not finding the means---- _Adr._ Forgive me. I don't understand yet. Why did you do this--for me? _Soph._ You were doing a noble work. _Adr._ [_Turns away_] Yes, it was my work you wanted to save. _Soph._ Adrian! [_He faces her. She stands in the light from the window_] You came to the Travinski palace two years ago. It was June, like this--[_motioning out_]--and sunset--like this. Do you remember? _Adr._ I remember. _Soph._ You talked to my father. I was in the room. You did not see me, a mere princess,--but I saw you--heard you. I could not leave--I could not turn away. Your words were like new dreams to me.... And after that Petrizoff appealed to my father to furnish evidence against you. He consented because he feared your power over the peasants. I begged him to trust the matter to me, and it was then that I made the foolish wager with Petrizoff. My light manner deceived him, but all the time my heart was dying within me for fear I should fail. _Adr._ [_Falteringly_] Your highness---- _Soph._ O, not that! I have called you Adrian for two years. [_He is silent, and she continues_] The Red Cross work gave me opportunities to see you. At first perhaps I was only trying to save you--and win you. But now I know that I am true. I am ready to die for the things that you would die for, not for your sake but the things' sake. Though I do not love you less. My love has grown with my spirit. When we met this morning I dared to put into my eyes all that I felt. You looked as though you had suddenly met a being out of Heaven, but it was not Heaven's light upon my face; it was my love for you.