Let's leave that for a moment. We are forgetting something else, something much more essential."
"What's that, Milady?"
"It is very important for us to get word of our abduction to Burdorf, who can be useful to us."
"I realize the truth of what you say, Milady, but certainly our correspondence is too well watched for any of our letters to reach their destination. But you have already captivated the baron. Let's rely on his help. We will have much more chance of success and less danger."
Suddenly the door was thrown open and the margrave stalked in, bristling with anger.
"You don't realize the danger of irritating a man like me," he said furiously. "Do not force me to make you feel my anger."
"In truth, sir," said the princess, "I know nothing quite so strange as your ire. By what right do you speak to me in this manner?"
"The right of power over nothingness."
"You mean the right of lions and bears over their unfortunate victims."
"It is the surest of all and I do not expect to use any other."
"The only thing you will succeed in doing is to make me even colder toward you."
"But who are you, woman, to resist so imperiously my favors?"
"I am a free and proud woman who depends only on herself, who has no need whatsoever of you, and who will never have anything but scorn for your methods. Once more, sir, have me taken back to where you found me. It is the only way of having me forget your wrongs toward me. Each moment which you keep me here only aggravates them. At the present I have only indifference toward you. Watch out if I begin to hate you."
"I will know how to guard myself," sneered the margrave, as he stalked out.
After this interview, Adelaide, who was used to eating every day with the margrave, was served in her room. This change seemed unusual and Bathilda did not reassure her.
96
