"Good God, Helena! What is it you want me to be? Is it a man or a
manikin?"
At that moment the young Lieutenant who was the General's Aide-de-camp
came in to say that the Consul-General and the Prime Minister had
arrived, and required Colonel Lord's attendance.
"Presently," said Gordon, and as soon as the Lieutenant had gone he
turned to Helena again.
"Helena," he said, "there is not a moment to lose. Remember, this is the
last time I can see you before I am required to act one way or the
other. God knows what may happen before I come out of that room. Will
you send me into it without any choice?"
She was breathing hard and biting her under lip.
"Your happiness is dearer to me than anything else in life, dear, but I
am a man, not a child, and if I am to follow your father in order not to
lose you, I must know why. Will you tell me?"