he intruded on her meditations to inform her that he had the key of the office about him.  Then he went to see if the hall were empty, and led her at once to the treasurer’s office through the various passages which connected it with the main buildings.  The office at this hour was as lonely as the grave, and when Orion found himself standing with her, close to the door which opened on the road to the harbor, and had already raised the key to unlock it, he paused and for the first time broke the silence they had both preserved during their unpleasant walk, saying: 

“What brought you to see Mary, Katharina?  Tell me honestly.”  Her heart, which had been beating high since she had found herself alone with him in the silent and deserted house, began to throb wildly; a great terror, she knew not of what, came over her.

“She had come to the house for several reasons, but one had outweighed all the rest:  Mary must be told that her young uncle and Paula were betrothed; for she knew by experience that the child could keep nothing of importance from her grandmother, and that Neforis had no love for Paula was an open secret.  As yet she certainly could know nothing of her son’s formal suit, but if once she were informed of it she would do everything in her power—­of this Katharina had not a doubt—­to keep Orion and Paula apart.  So the girl had told Mary that it was already reported that they were a betrothed and happy pair, and that she herself had watched them making love in her neighbor’s garden.  To her great annoyance, however, Mary took this all very coolly and without any special excitement.

“So, when Orion enquired of his companion what had brought her to the governor’s house, she could only reply that she longed so desperately to see little Mary.

“Of course,” said Orion.  “But I must beg of you not to yield again to your affectionate impulse.  Your mother makes a public display of her grudge against mine, and her ill-feeling will only be increased if she is told that we are encouraging you to disregard her wishes.  Perhaps you may, ere long, have opportunities of seeing Mary more frequently; but, if that should be the case, I must especially request you not to talk of things that may agitate her.  You have seen for yourself how excitable she is and how fragile she looks.  Her little heart, her too precocious brain and feelings must have rest, must not be stirred and goaded by fresh incitements such as you are in a position to apply.  The patriarch is my enemy, the enemy of our house, and you—­I do not say it to offend you—­you overheard what he was saying last night, and probably gathered much important information, some of which may concern me and my family.”

Katharina stood looking at her companion, as pale as death.  He knew that she had played the listener, and when, and where!  The shock it gave her, and the almost unendurable pang of feeling herself lowered in his eyes, quite dazed her.  She felt bewildered, offended, menaced; however, she retained enough presence of mind to reply in a moment to her antagonist: