He found her standing by a window with the watchful Suzanne hovering
near, but he did not speak until the waiter withdrew and closed the
door.
The paleness begat by the long weariness of the ride was gone from her
face, the beautiful color flowing back in a full tide, and she stood up
straight and strong. The room was lighted by two tall candles, and the
glow in John's eyes was met by an answering glow in hers.
"You think it wise to spend the night here?" she asked.
"It seems to me that we should risk it. In the darkness the roads will
be dangerous from the melting snows. Nor should we exhaust ourselves in
the first stage of our flight. It's scarcely possible that any word from
Zillenstein can reach Tellnitz tonight and tomorrow we'll be far away.
What say you, Suzanne?"
"I agree, sir, with you, who are our master here," replied Suzanne with
uncommon deference. "A start at dawn, and we can leave pursuit behind
for the present at least."
Julie smiled a little at this proof that young Scott's conquest of her
stern maid was complete.
"I'll bid Herr Leinfelder have breakfast for us at the earliest possible
moment," he said, "and now, I think it would be better for you two to
sleep, because tomorrow we may need all our strength. You know as well
as I the dangers that lie before us."
Outside the door he was the haughty chauffeur again, the subservient
servant of Auersperg, and the arrogant patron of the innkeeper and
waiters.
Pages:
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316