CHAPTER XI.
THE VISION IS THE CRYSTAL Master Gerard, however, did not seem to be aware of her presence, for he continued his catechism steadily.
"You mocked at their terrors, did you not, and told them that you, who had seen the teeth of the Duke's hounds, had nothing to fear from the bare gums of the White Wolf ?" "I knew that they but played," I answered, "and that I had little to fear." For with Ysolinde von Sturm watching me with her eyes I could not for very shame's sake make myself great.
"You told them more than that," the girl cried, suddenly flashing on me a look keen as the light on a sword when it comes home from the cutler.
"You told them that you too desired a freer commonwealth!" "I did," said I, flushing quickly, for I had thought to keep my thumb on that.
Nevertheless I was not going back on my spoken word, even in the presence of Duke Casimir's inquisitor.

Besides which I judged that my father had influence enough to bring me out scathless.
"That is well and bravely said!" he replied, smiling with thin lips which in all their constant writhings showed no vestige of teeth within; "but the sentiment itself is somewhat strange in the son of the Red Axe and the future Executioner of Justice in the Wolfmark." Then for the first time I permitted my eyes to rest on the lithe figure of the girl in the doorway.

Methought she inclined her head a little forward to catch my answer as if it had been a matter of interest to her.
"I am indeed son of the Red Axe," said I, "but my own head would underlie it rather than that I should ever be Hereditary Justicer of the Mark." A smile that was meant for me passed over the girl's face and momently sweetened her lips.

She straightened her body and set a hand more easily to her waist.

A certain kindness dwelt in her emerald eyes.
"Never be Duke's Justicer!" cried Master Gerard, looking up with his hand on a skull.