He turned at the door to deliver a parting shot. “By the way, I have advised General
Scheider not to go away with you for the weekend.”
Noelle felt her heart plummet. It was too late to reach Israel Katz. “Do Colonels
always interfere in the private lives of Generals?”
“In this case, no,” Colonel Mueller said regretfully. “General Scheider intends to
keep his rendezvous.” He turned and walked out.
Noelle stared after him, her heart racing. She looked at the gold clock on the dressing
table and quickly began to dress.
At eleven forty-five the concierge telephoned Noelle to announce that General
Scheider was on his way up to her apartment. His voice was trembling.
“Is his chauffeur in the car?” Noelle asked.
“No, Mademoiselle,” the concierge replied carefully. “He’s on his way up with the
General.”
“Thank you.”
Noelle replaced the receiver and hurried into the bedroom to check her luggage once
more. There must be no mistake. The front doorbell rang, and Noelle went into the living
room and opened the door.
General Scheider stood in the corridor, his chauffeur, a young captain, behind him.
General Scheider was out of uniform and looked very distinguished in a flawlessly cut
charcoal-gray suit and a soft blue shirt and black tie. “Good evening,” he said formally. He
stepped inside, then nodded to his chauffeur.
“My bags are in the bedroom,” Noelle said. She indicated the door.
“Thank you, Fräulein.” The captain walked into the bedroom. General Scheider came
over to Noelle and took her hands. “Do you know what I have been thinking about all
day?” he asked. “I was thinking you might not be here, that you might change your mind.
Every time the phone rang, I was afraid.”
“I keep my promises,” Noelle said. She watched as the captain came out of the
bedroom carrying her makeup case and overnight bag. “Is there anything else?” he asked.
“No,” Noelle said. “That’s all.”
The captain carried the suitcases out of the apartment.
“Ready?” General Scheider asked.
“Let’s have a drink before we go,” Noelle replied quickly. She walked over to a bottle
of champagne on the bar, resting in a bucket of ice.
“Let me.” He moved over to the ice bucket and opened the champagne.
“What shall we drink to?” he asked.