"No, you must go to-day, before the prince returns. There are horses and a carriage at your disposal to take you to Mittau. You will do well to go thence straight to Paris. If your stay in Russia were heard of here, after your sudden departure from Pampeln, it might give rise to questions. I want to avoid that." The tone she had spoken these words in did not suffer Paul to hesitate. "Very well, then, madame," he said, "I will leave this evening." "Without seeing--you know whom?" said Lise's mother. "No; I won't promise that! If I did not pay my respects to all whom they are due to before I quit the château, in the first place I should be set down as a boor, and besides, your end would not be granted, for everybody would try to find out the cause of such singular conduct." "You pretend not to understand me. I will speak more plainly, much as it costs me to do so. You shall not see the princess again in private." "I can promise you one thing alone, that I will not provoke an explanation between Madame la Princess and myself. You must admit that if she honors me by demanding one I could not refuse her it." "She will not try to see you." "She may do so." "I hope otherwise." "In that case, madame, we are agreed. All shall be done as you wish. I will write now to the prince explaining my departure." Content with having got this promise, she left him and went at once to her daughter's room. The princess was at her toilet when her mother came into the room. "Send away the maid," she said; "I have something to say to you." Rather surprised, Lise Olsdorf obeyed. Then turning to her mother, she asked, with a smile: "What have you to tell me that is so mysterious?" "I have just requested Monsieur Paul Meyrin to leave Pampeln to-day," replied the ex-Countess Barineff. The princess understood all, and anger flushed her face with blood; but not losing self-command, she replied calmly: "Why do you tell _me_ this? I presume you have the prince's authority for taking such a step in respect to one of his guests." "I have consulted nobody. Monsieur Meyrin's longer stay here might at any hour be the occasion for a scandalous scene. My duty was to do what I have done." "Has this young man bowed to your orders without protesting or defending himself?" "He is going away this evening." "Very good. I will see him directly." "It would be far better to rather avoid any interview with him." "Why, pray? I wish to know what means you have employed to obtain from Monsieur Paul Meyrin so ready and blind a submission." "What does that matter to you?" "It matters this, that if Monsieur Meyrin is the man I take him for, he will not leave before having heard me." "You must be responsible then for what may happen." "Why, what will happen?" "You will see." "Come, mother, don't let us talk in enigmas. What are you imagining? By what right do you interfere in what concerns me alone?"