"Karen," he said gently, "is there any reason why your confidence should be withheld from me? I have come here tonight for my answer. I have only an hour to stay. It was a long way to come for one single word from a young girl. But I would have travelled the world over for that word from you. Will you give me my answer, Karen?" She looked up, dumb, her mouth tremulous, unable to control her emotion for the moment. His keen eyes searched hers; he waited, thin lips compressed. "Kurt--I--do not love you," she whispered. He took it in silence; not a muscle quivered. "Will you marry me, Karen, and try?" "I can not." "Is it your profession? Is it your desire for liberty?" "No." "Is it--_another man_?" As he spoke he saw in her eyes that he had guessed the truth. For a full minute he sat there like a statue, one arm extended on the table, the bony hand clenched. After a long while he lifted his head and turned upon her a visage terrifying in its pallour and rigidity. "Is it--Guild?" he asked with an effort. "Kurt!" "_Is_ it?" The heavy colour suddenly flooded his face; lie drew a deep, sharp breath. "Is he still in this neighbourhood? Is he, perhaps, coming here to see you? Is _that_ why you are awake and dressed at this hour?" "Kurt, you have no right----" "I am at liberty to ask you these questions----" "No! It is an impertinence----" "Do you regard it that way? Karen! Is _this_ what has happened--" He choked, turned his congested face, glaring about him at the four walls of the room. Suddenly some instinct of suspicion seized him, possessed him, brought him to his feet in one bound. And instantly the girl rose, too. "I know why you are awake and dressed!" he said harshly. "You _are_ expecting him! Are you?" She could not answer; her breath had deserted her, and she merely stood there, one hand resting on the table, her frightened eyes fixed on the man confronting her. But at his first step forward she sprang in front of him. She strove to speak; the infernal blaze in his eyes terrified her. "Is _this_ what you have done to me?" he said; and moved to pass her, but she caught his arm, and he halted. CHAPTER XXIV A PERSONAL AFFAIR "My God!" he said, "it would not surprise me to find him here in the house!... He _is_ here--or you would never wear a face like that!... What do you mean to do, block my way in my own house?" as she confronted him. "Kurt--" Her white lips merely formed the word. "_Is_ he here? Answer me!" "I--he----" "Answer me!" Behind them a voice broke in quietly: "I'll answer for us all.... Don't touch that holster, General! I can kill you first.... Now, then, am I to pass that door without violence?... Because I'm going to pass it one way or another----" He came forward, his naked sabre shining in the candle light, his grey eyes level, cool, and desperate.