A vivid blush spread over her face and neck.
"They are much too good for me," she whispered, still smiling, still glancing at him in half-ashamed coquetry. But she was not yet daughter of Eve enough to take a sidelong peep at herself in the glass.
On going to turn down his bed for the night, she was astonished to see how it had diminished in size, but gulped back an exclamation of surprise, lest he should be annoyed. Then wishing him good-night she left the room.
With a grin of inward satisfaction he thought of the great surprise that was in store for her, and soon became engrossed in his manuscripts again.
About an hour had elapsed, when he was startled by a rustling sound at the back of his chair. He turned round and found her standing beside him. Her face was very white, her lips trembling, her breath coming quick through dilated nostrils. The fur collarette was unfastened at the throat, and showed the coarse chemise underneath, the folds of which rose and fell with her billowing breast. In the excitement of the moment she had forgotten to arrange her clothing.
"How handsome she is!" he thought, filled with involuntary admiration of her strange beauty, and then he tried not to look at her.
"Now then, what's the matter?" he asked in his gentlest tones.
She made an effort to speak, but some moments passed before a sound escaped her lips.
"Oh, _Herr_!" she stammered forth at last, "was it you--did you do that with the beds?"
"But--why--_why_?" and she lifted her swimming eyes in alarm and consternation.
Apparently his kindness frightened her. It was necessary to adopt a firmer tone in order to become master of his own emotions.
"Stupid girl," he said loftily, "do you think I wish you to die out there of cold?"
For a moment she stood like a statue, silent and motionless, and big sparkling drops rolled down her cheeks. And then suddenly she threw herself at his feet, clung to both his hands, and covered them with kisses and tears.
At first he was too unnerved and thrilled at the sight of her agitation to speak. He had never imagined that she would be so deeply moved. Then he collected himself, and withdrawing his hands commanded her to rise.
"Don't make a scene, Regina," he said. "Go to bed. I'm sure you must be tired out."