“I invited the Count here this evening,” he said, “and in Nadia’s presence taxed him with his guilt. Unable to deny it and rendered craven by fear, he implored me to keep the matter a secret from the Czar. Moved by his entreaties, I said, ‘Write me out a confession and I’ll give you three days within which to get out of Russia.’ I little thought when he stepped into the boat that the hand of Death was already upon him. Heaven, you see, would not let him escape.” “He met with a just doom,” commented Wilfrid, “dying by the very death he had appointed for another.” For it was evident now that the four liveried ruffians at the masquerade were Baranoff’s hirelings and that it was not the Czarina’s life they sought, but Nadia’s. “I think,” mused Sumaroff, “that we are now in a position to effect a reconciliation between the Czar and Czarina.” “I would give much to see it,” remarked Wilfrid. “Through me,” he added moodily, “an empress seems destined to forfeit both husband and crown.” “You have nothing to reproach yourself with,” said Sumaroff cheerfully. “You have acted throughout as an honourable man. Let us review the points in your favour. First, there’s the affair at the Silver Birch. _That’s_ satisfactorily explained.” “The kiss in the garden witnessed by the Czar,” said Wilfrid. “Merely a reward for a great service to the State.” “She lingered very much over it.” “Still the Czar must overlook it. Doubtless,” he added, with a twinkle in his eye, “he, too, has lingered considerably over the kisses he has bestowed upon the fair Pauline.” “The four weeks of love-making at Castle Runö?” “To be pardoned, when the circumstances are considered. _She_ had forgotten her identity; _you_ believed her to be an unwedded woman. The Baroness can testify to the truth of this—is testifying, perhaps, at this very moment.” “All very good,” returned Wilfrid. “But there’s another difficulty—the greatest. The Czarina herself is opposed to a reconciliation. In her present state of mind, Alexander is an object of dread to her.” “He’ll soon cease to be so,” replied Sumaroff with a mysterious smile. “But the hour is late; let us to bed. If the plan I have in view succeeds, by this time to-morrow all will be in harmony again.” And so ended the most memorable day in Wilfrid’s career, a day in which he had won and lost the love of a wedded empress! It was a pleasure to think, as Prince Sumaroff had remarked, that through it all his honour had remained stainless. Late in the forenoon of the following day Wilfrid was summoned to the presence of the Czarina. At first he demurred. Better, he thought, for the interests and happiness of both that they should never meet again. “You had better see her,” said Prince Sumaroff, appreciating Wilfrid’s hesitation. “The sequel will, I trust, prove the wisdom of this advice.” So persuaded, Wilfrid was conducted to a small cabinet where, the Prince retiring, he found himself alone with the Czarina.