“Alas! I cannot forgive myself,” murmured Pauline bitterly. An embarrassing silence followed, broken at length by Marie. “If I am Empress,” she said with a sad smile, addressing Wilfrid, “show your loyalty by doing my will. Aid me to escape. When the Czar recovers he will order your arrest and mine. I will not lose my liberty. I must fly at once.” Wilfrid was quite alive to the necessity for her immediate flight. Her relation with the Czar was, in his opinion, a question to be decided at some other time; for the present she must not remain at Runö while the Czar’s anger and jealousy were still hot upon him. Yet how could he give her aid when police and spies—as the Czar had said—were everywhere on the look-out for him? Should he be recognised, not only his own flight, but that of the Empress would be frustrated. “Your Majesty,” said he after awhile, “the only asylum that I can think of is the British Embassy, which we can reach by water along the Neva and Fontanka Canal, and thus perchance elude the police. Lord St. Helens will be honoured by your confidence. Within the Embassy you may remain concealed till some plan be devised for your escape, or till friends shall have effected a reconciliation between you and the Czar.”—Marie shivered.—“Even supposing your presence at the Embassy should become known, you cannot be removed by force, nor can the Czar enter without leave. You will, in fact, be able to treat with him on equal terms.” Marie caught eagerly at Wilfrid’s suggestion. To get away at once was her one desire. Pauline, too, approved of the scheme. “A boat shall be ready at Silver Point within ten minutes,” she said, and gave an order to that effect. It now occurred to Wilfrid that to accompany the Empress would give a tongue to scandal, and confirm the Czar in his suspicions. He whispered this much into Pauline’s ears. “I have thought of that,” she murmured, “and the Czarina’s brother-in-law shall go with you, to see,” she added with an air of shame, “that there be no more love-making between you.” “The Czarina’s brother-in-law!” said Wilfrid. “I refer to Prince Ouvaroff,” explained Pauline, “who is now beneath my roof.” “Ouvaroff will be more likely to intercept than to assist her flight.” “Because he misjudges her. But I will undeceive him. Escort the Empress to the Silver Strand and wait there for me.” Wilfrid, taking the Empress under his care, stepped through the French window and set off for the appointed place, while Pauline made her way to the entrance hall. Here the Czar’s equerries, Princes Ouvaroff and Volkonski, were whiling away the time over a game of chess. Upon her entering the two arose and bowed. “The Czar——?” began Volkonski. “Is taking a short sleep,” answered Pauline. “Prince Ouvaroff, may I have a word with you?” The Prince was only too pleased at such an honour. She drew Ouvaroff, much to Volkonski’s surprise, from the entrance hall to the moonlight outside and began to whisper her tidings.