'It is not Friday!' Something in her manner had puzzled Otto, had possibly touched him with suspicion.
'Is it not strange,' he remarked, 'that I should choose my accomplice from the other camp ?' 'Fool!' she said.

'But it is your only wisdom that you know your friends.' And suddenly, in the vantage of the deep window, she caught up his hand and kissed it with a sort of passion.

'Now go,' she added, 'go at once.' He went, somewhat staggered, doubting in his heart that he was over-bold.
For in that moment she had flashed upon him like a jewel; and even through the strong panoply of a previous love he had been conscious of a shock.

Next moment he had dismissed the fear.
Both Otto and the Countess retired early from the drawing-room; and the Prince, after an elaborate feint, dismissed his valet, and went forth by the private passage and the back postern in quest of the groom.
Once more the stable was in darkness, once more Otto employed the talismanic knock, and once more the groom appeared and sickened with terror.
'Good-evening, friend,' said Otto pleasantly.

'I want you to bring a corn sack--empty this time--and to accompany me.