“I can’t pretend not to be relieved by your decision,” remarked Cyril, frankly. “Pray be sure that I will do my best to settle the arrangements for your journey as much in accordance with your wishes as possible, although it will unfortunately be necessary to make the start very early in the morning, in order to avoid exciting attention. I propose, if you will allow me, to do myself the honour of accompanying you as far as Boloszjen----” “Oh, why make all this fuss--this pretence of asking my permission?” asked Nadia, impatiently. “I know quite well that I am a prisoner, and must submit to whatever arrangements my gaolers may choose to make for me.” “Excuse me,” said Cyril, “but I understood that you were leaving Thracia by your own choice, and going to rejoin your friends? I think you will see that this is both a more correct and a more agreeable way of looking at the matter. To return to our subject. The first part of the journey we must make by road, for it would not be advisable for you to take the train from here. We will get on board at some country station, where no one is likely to recognise us. Our good friend Madame Bruics here will accompany you as far as the Scythian frontier, and give you into the charge of Princess Soudaroff’s lady-in-waiting.” “I am most grateful to you for your kindness and consideration,” said Nadia, rising to leave the room. “Perhaps you will tell Madame Bruics anything else you may have to say. I am very tired.” “If your gratitude is to be interpreted by your looks, it is not a kind I should care to get much of,” said Cyril to himself as she retired. It took some time to explain in writing to Madame Bruics what was required of her and to meet her various objections, but at last Cyril was able to leave the prison and return to the palace. Sending for Wright to give him his orders for the morrow, he found the groom bursting with excitement and importance. “’Ave you ’eard, my lord, as ’ow Mr O’Malachy ’ave sloped?” he asked eagerly, as soon as the footman who had conducted him into Cyril’s presence had departed. “Sloped? Lieutenant O’Malachy?” cried Cyril, and cursed himself for a fool. Why had it not occurred to him to order Louis’s arrest instantly on hearing Nadia’s story? He might have guessed that her father’s plot needed a confederate in the city to enable him to carry it out successfully. “Is it certain that he is gone?” he asked of Wright.