You recall her hair and eyes." John shook his head impressively.
"The French prisoner, the one they call a spy, Mademoiselle Lannes, is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen," said blond Olga, "but no one could look at her without remembering the color of her hair and eyes, such a marvelous gold and such a deep, dark blue." "His Highness, Prince Karl, remembers them well," said Ilse.
"But not better than the young Count Kratzek," said Olga.
"Nor better than Count Pappenheim." "And yet they're going to send her away." "It's because the generals and princes are coming for the great council and they wouldn't have more to fall in love with her." "And it might give even Prince Karl trouble to answer questions why she is here." John's pulses began to beat heavily despite all his efforts at calmness and he turned his face away that they might not see the eager light in his eyes.

When he had mastered himself sufficiently to use a quiet voice he asked: "When is this great council of which you speak ?" "In three or four days," replied Ilse.

"We hear that many Serene Highnesses are coming from both Berlin and Vienna." "And the French girl is to be carried away before they come ?" "She goes the day after tomorrow with the dark woman, Suzanne, to the hunting lodge of His Highness, higher in the mountains." Then with a frightened gesture she clapped her hand upon her mouth.
"You will say nothing of it, Herr Johann ?" she pleaded.

"It is a secret from all but a few, and His Highness doubtless would punish us terribly if he knew that we told." "You can trust me, Ilse," said John earnestly.

"I would not bring trouble upon you or Olga.