Wishing to assure her that such a fact could not influence him, he said:-- "You need not fear to tell me all concerning yourself or your family.
There can be no stain upon you, and even though your station be less than--" "Hush, Max, hush," she cried, placing her hand protestingly against his breast.

"You do not know what you are saying.

There is no stain on me or my family." Max wondered, but was silent; he had not earned the right to be inquisitive.
The guard appeared at that moment on the castle battlements, and Max and Yolanda sought the shelter of a grove of trees a dozen paces from the bridge on the town side of the moat.

They seated themselves on a bench, well within the shadow of the trees, and after a moment's silence Max said:-- "I shall not come to the bridge again, Fraeulein.

I'll wait till your uncle returns, when I shall see you at his house.