“_Mon père_, how grave you are! I will show you by and by that you have reason for joy.” “Pauline, my mind is made up. Within a few hours we set out for Lovisa.” “Lovisa! In Finland?” “And thence to Sweden. You and I are leaving St. Petersburg for ever.” “For ever! That is a long time, _mon père_, especially when I have the best reason in the world for remaining in Russia.” “Your reason—I know it well—for remaining is the very reason that induces me to remove you.” A smile of triumph appeared on her lips. “I fear that you misapprehend the situation. Nay, I am sure you do. When you hear all I have to say you will change your mind.” “Nothing that you can say will induce me to change my mind. You will set out first; I will follow later. Lord Courtenay will perhaps accompany us: at least, I will do my best to persuade him. It will not be safe for him to remain any longer in Russia.” “Why, what new piece of mischief has that knight-errant been doing?” “This morning at eight o’clock he commits the most daring deed of his life.” Pauline elevated her pretty eyebrows in surprise. “A daring deed! He did not tell me of it to-night. You are more in his confidence than I am. You have a story to tell, is it not so? Eh, _bien_, tell it me. See, I am listening. I am, as the English say, all ears.” “Had you returned two minutes earlier you would have met Lord Courtenay.” “What! has he been here?” “He was in this room with a story that should interest you—you, perhaps, more than any other person,” said her father drily. “At the masquerade Lord Courtenay chanced to meet a certain lady.” “I was hoping that he would.” “A lady whose true name he has never been able to learn.” “Her reticence on that point is a high tribute to his sense of virtue. She knows very well that on his hearing it he would have no more to do with her.” “What! you know this lady?” “My enemy. Siberia would now be my home could she have her way.” “Who is she?” “That’s a surprise I’ll keep in reserve. You shall learn by and by. Continue your story, _mon père_.” “Do you know that this lady is loved by Alexander?” “You should put that remark in the past tense,” said Pauline with an odd smile. “This favourite of the Czar was so gracious as to bestow a kiss upon Lord Courtenay, and, unfortunately for her, the Czar himself witnessed the act.” Pauline laughed softly. “The very result desired by me,” she said. “You are pleased. Yes, I can quite comprehend your motive in wishing that this lady should forfeit the Czar’s regard. You will not find the sequel so pleasing. The Czar and Lord Courtenay came to words.” “Over the lady! Strange, when matters were taking a course acceptable to all three! And I suppose that Lord Courtenay, so bold before Paul, was equally bold with Paul’s son?” “He did not know at the time that he was speaking to Paul’s son, since Alexander would neither remove his mask nor disclose his identity. But Lord Courtenay has learned his name since.”