But in their relations, that had become so friendly, there was one blot, and the knowledge of it pierced him at times like a poisonous arrow. Often, after he had been watching her in silence, he was tormented with a desire to penetrate into the secrets of her past, and to cross-examine her on the subject of her intercourse with the dead. For long he kept back the questions that burned on the tip of his tongue, feeling that little good could come of asking them; but at last he felt driven to speak. "She is the only living witness of the catastrophe," he thought; "what's more, the only accomplice. She alone can give authentic information." And one evening he broke the silence which had been so enjoyable to both, with a brusque demand that she should tell him all she knew. She changed colour, and dropped her hands in her lap. "You'll only be angry with me again, _Herr_," she stammered. "Do as I bid you." She still hesitated. "It's ... so long ago," she whispered piteously, "and I don't know how to tell things." "But you can at least answer questions." Then she resigned herself to fate. "Who was it that first suggested to you the midnight sortie?" "The _gnädiger Herr_." He clenched his teeth. "When and how?" "The _gnädiger Herr_ ordered me to wait at table. The great candelabra, that was hardly ever lit as a rule, was burning, and shone on the gold uniforms of the French officers, and it was all so dazzling I felt quite giddy when I carried the soup into the hall. They all laughed and pointed at me, and spoke in French, which I didn't understand." "How many were there?" "Five, and one with grey hair, who was the General, and had the most gold on his coat; and when I brought him the soup he caught hold of me round the waist, and I put the plate down on his finger and pinched it. Then they all laughed again, and the _gnädiger Herr_ said, 'Don't be so clumsy, Regina.' I felt so ashamed and vexed at his saying that that I said, quite loud, I didn't see why I should wait if I was only to be scolded for it. Then they laughed louder than ever, and the General began to speak German, like little children speak it. 'You are a plucky, pretty little girl,' he said; and the _gnädiger Herr_ told him I was a girl who might prove useful to him and them all--or something of the kind. And when I brought in the liqueur at the end of dinner, he drew me down to him and whispered in my ear. I was to go to him in the night." He started up. "And you went?" She cast down her eyes. "Ah, _Herr_," she said imploringly, "why do you ask me? I wish you wouldn't. I had often done it before, and I saw no harm in it then." He felt his blood boiling. "How old were you at that time?" "Fifteen." "And so corrupt--so----" His voice died away in wrath. She cast an unspeakably sad and reproachful glance at him. "I knew you'd be angry," she said, "but I can't make myself out better than I am." "Continue your story," he cried.