Kratzek was well enough to go back to the battle front, but he lingered.  John did not know what excuses he gave, but he was there, and his eyes, too, burned when Julie passed.

Often in the evening he watched for the grim Suzanne and the word that she would bring, but she did not come.  Day by day he saw her, the long black shadow behind her mistress, but she never looked toward him, however intensely he wished it.

The prince went forth occasionally, but he always used an automobile and he was never gone longer than a day.  John wondered why he remained so long at Zillenstein, knowing that he was a general in the German army and a man of weight at the battle front.  He concluded at last that he must be waiting there for a conference of some kind between important men of Germany and Austria.  He had heard through the gossip in the castle that Italy was threatening war on Austria, and the Teutonic powers must now face also toward the southwest.  Much might be decided at Zillenstein.

Ilse and Olga were still his best sources of information.  Very little that passed in the castle missed their shrewd inquiring minds, and they had found in the handsome young peasant from Lorraine one with whom they liked to talk.  He jested and laughed with them but there was a certain reserve on his part that they could not break down but which drew them on.  He would not flirt with them.  None was readier than he for light words and airy compliments, but nothing that he said permitted either of the trim young Austrian girls to think that he might become a lover.

“I think, Herr Johann,” said Ilse, “that you have left behind in Lorraine a maid whom you love.”

“It may be so,” said John vaguely.  “I saw one in Metz whom anybody could love.”

“What was she like?” asked Ilse, eagerly.

“A skin the tint of the young rose, eyes like the dawn on a summer morning, hair a shower of the finest spun silk, and a walk like that of a young goddess.”

“It’s beautiful, but it doesn’t describe; what was the color of her hair and eyes?”

“I don’t know.  They dazzled me so much that I merely remember their loveliness and glory.”

“It can’t be!” exclaimed Ilse, who did not walk in Elysian paths.  “You jest with us.  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.”