Thank God! it is Yolanda," he replied, placing his hand before his eyes.

She slipped from his arms, and Max, too deeply moved to speak, walked over to the window and looked out upon the frowning walls of Peronne the Impregnable.

There was irony for you! Probably Max was not sure that Yolanda was Yolanda; but, if he was, conviction had come through his emotions, and it might be temporary.

He was, however, soon to be convinced by evidence so cunningly constructed that he was compelled to abandon the testimony of his own eyes and accept that of seemingly incontestable facts.
"We are to dine privately with the duke at twelve o'clock," I said, while Max was standing at the window.
"Indeed ?" asked Yolanda, arching her eyebrows; surprise and displeasure evident in her voice.

She glanced at the great clock, then looked toward Max, and said:-- "It lacks but thirty minutes of that time now, and I suppose I shall soon lose you." Max turned from the window, saying:--"Yes, we must go, or we shall be late." "Does the princess dine with you ?" asked Yolanda.
"I do not know, Fraeulein," answered Max.