Your unspoken words have been
more eloquent than any vows your lips could coin, and I know what is in
your heart, else my boldness would have been beyond excusing. What I
wish is that your desire should be great enough to keep you when I ask
you to remain."
"I may not think of myself or my own desires, Fraeulein," he answered.
"Like the lady of Burgundy, I was shackled at my birth."
"The lady of Burgundy is ever in your mind," Yolanda retorted sullenly.
"You would give this promise quickly enough were she asking it--she
with her vast estate."
There was an angry gleam in the girl's eyes, and a dark cloud of
unmistakable jealousy on her face. She stepped back from Max and hung
her head. After a moment of silence she said:--
"You may answer me to-morrow night at this bridge, Sir Max. If you do
not see fit to give me the promise, then I shall weary you no further
with importunity, and you may go your way."
There was a touch of coldness in her voice as she turned and walked
slowly toward the bridge. Max called softly:--
"Yolanda!"
She did not answer, but continued with slow steps and drooping head. As
her form was fading into the black shadow of the castle wall he ran
across the bridge to her, and took her hand:--
"Fraeulein, I will be at the bridge to-morrow night, and I will try to
give the promise you ask of me."
CHAPTER IX
THE GREAT RIDDLE
Max was cautious in the matter of making promises, as every honest man
should be, since he had no thought of breaking them once they were
given.
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