She decided swiftly upon her next attitude. It must be frankness. She must keep, hold this man, and convince him that she had nothing to do with, and no knowledge of, Ruxton Farlow's movements. If she failed in this, then---- She laughed musically, a deep, soft laugh. The eyes which were raised to Von Salzinger's were full of amusement. "The same headstrong, impetuous Ludwig. The years have not changed you," she said, shaking her head. "Ruxton Farlow is just one of many men friends I have over here. You cannot expect a woman of my position to live the life of a nun. I dined with him last evening. When we encountered you he was driving me home in his car. Have I committed a crime?" "Here?" There was a subtle brutality in the man's monosyllable. Vita flushed. The amusement in her eyes had changed to a sparkle of anger. She shrugged. "If you adopt that tone I have nothing more to say on the matter." The man realized his mistake and changed his tone at once. "Forgive me, Vita," he cried hastily. "It--it is jealousy. I cannot bear to think of you with that man--alone--or any other man. They have no right to you. They are natural enemies of our country. I--I am a Prussian, and you--you belong to our country. Can you not understand my feelings? Ach! It is maddening to think." Vita's smile was wholly charming as she glanced at him across the tea-table. "You are going to make me quarrel with you--again. And I don't want to quarrel. Tell me--about yourself and your affairs. They are more interesting. Tell me of that upward path--of that high command you occupy." For some moments Ludwig von Salzinger did not reply. He had no desire to change the subject. His only interest in Vita was her beauty, her splendid womanhood; her appeal to his baser senses. His hard eyes regarded her unsmilingly for some moments. Then his nature drove him to the blunder which the woman had been awaiting. "My affairs have no interest just now," he said, almost sombrely. Vita caught at his reply with all her readiness. "But they have--for your friends. Your old friends," she said, with well-assumed earnestness. "Have they?" The man laughed bitterly. "I wonder." Again his greedy eyes had settled upon her with that curious regard which all good women resent. At last Vita threw her head up in a manner which definitely but silently made her protest plain. Von Salzinger was forced to speech. "For the moment the upward path is closed to me," he admitted coldly. "I no longer occupy my command. Do--you understand?" But Vita shook her head. In a moment there came an outburst of passion. It was the outburst of a headstrong man, which robs him of half his power in more delicate situations.