“Do you think because Catharine has reigned that there is no modesty left in Russia?” “How can I think that, your Highness, when I look upon you?” “Ask, instead, for fifty thousand roubles; you shall have them.” “I prefer something more precious.” “You—prefer—a—kiss—to—fifty—thousand—roubles!” she said, pausing in surprise between each word. “If the kiss come from you.” “It shall never come,” she said breathlessly. “Your highness, ’tis yours to refuse; ’tis mine also.” “You mean that you will decline the Empress’s wish.” Wilfrid’s grim smile implied that he would; and at this the Duchess’s face assumed a look of dismay, for she knew Wilfrid to be the only man qualified for the task required of him. “Why do you ask this—this silly thing?” she faltered. “That I may return home with the knowledge that I have kissed the fairest lady in Russia.” There was silence for a brief interval, during which the Duchess seemed to become reconciled to the enormity of being kissed. “And nothing but a kiss will content you?” “I will add a second condition; you must at the same time tell me your name, your rank, your history, and how it happened that I could save your life, as you say I did, and yet retain no remembrance of the event.” “To gain my ends I must consent to your humour. Thus then do I pledge my word. Rid the Czar of his wicked Ministry, and”—her eyes drooped, and a beautiful colour stole over her cheek—“and ... you ... shall ... take ... a ... kiss ... from ... me.” “Pardon me. There must be no taking on my part. The kiss must be freely given by you.” “You are a hard taskmaster,” she smiled. “Well, it shall be as you wish.” CHAPTER XVI THE FALL OF THE REGICIDES It was a usage of the Russian Ministry, in 1801 at least, for each member to present himself at the Winter Palace once a week on a stated day for the purpose of reporting on the affairs of his office. Count Pahlen’s hour for meeting the Czar coincided with that of General Benningsen, and hence, on the forenoon of a certain day in early summer, seated in a three-horse car, they were making their way towards St. Petersburg after a night spent at Strelna. Upon entering the suburbs the two ministers were immediately struck by the unusual number of people abroad. Like other cities St. Petersburg has its artisan class that rises early and works till late. On this particular morning, however, the toilers had apparently taken leave of work, and were standing in knots about the streets and squares. As the day was not marked in the calendar as a feast, some affair of great moment must have caused them to suspend their labours. They looked, by their grave air and subdued voices, as men look when hearing of the death of a king.