Then, as he turned, he met Vjera's eyes.

It was a supreme moment for her, poor child.

Would he remember anything of what had passed on the previous day?
Or had he forgotten all, his debt, her saving of him and the sacrifice she had made?
He looked at her so long and so steadily that she grew frightened.

Then all at once he came close to her, and took her hand and kissed it as he had done when they had last parted, careless of Schmidt's presence.
"I have not forgotten, dear Vjera," he whispered in her ear.
Schmidt passed them quickly and again went out, whether from a sense of delicacy, or because he saw an opportunity of renewing the fight outside, is not certain.

He closed the door of communication behind him.
Vjera looked up into the Count's eyes and the blush that rarely came, the blush of true happiness, mounted to her face.
"I have not forgotten, dearest," he said again.