"O no! my dear young lady, you are doing splendidly. Just carry out my written instructions and you will do as well without me as you would with me." "Dr. Jones, I appreciate your situation, and know that you have no right to remain here for my sake, or anyone's else. I will not try to persuade you to stay; but I know that when you have gone, Hope will have accompanied you, and I shall certainly die." "My God! My God! Dr. Jones, I cannot endure this," groaned the Count, and great tears coursed down his cheeks. "Let me talk with you a few moments privately," said the Doctor. The Count led the way to his office, and when they were seated the Doctor began: "Count Icanovich, I cannot leave you, and yet you see my situation. Professor Gray will not consent to an hour's unnecessary delay, and will hold me in strictest account to my Government." "Cannot he be brought to consent to remain a few weeks?" asked the Count anxiously. "Not all the gold in Russia would tempt him one moment," declared the Doctor emphatically. "But you must not go and take my darling's life with you!" cried the Count desperately. "Say 'shall not,' and you will hit it exactly," replied the little Doctor, winking shrewdly at the Count. "What do you mean?" "Have you no special power or authority in this section?" "I have very great power if I choose to use it. Do I understand you to advise me to detain you by force?" The Doctor grinned, gave a little Frenchy shrug of the shoulders, and said: "It would be treason to my country to advise you to do so, sir; but if you permit us to go, surely you cannot blame me for going. I very much prefer to stay, but only absolute force can prevent my going." "I understand you perfectly, Doctor, and you need say no more," replied the Count, smiling grimly. "It had not occurred to me to treat my guests with such discourtesy; but you Americans have an adage, I have heard,--or is it English?--that a hint is as good as a kick. Well, you needn't kick me--unless I let you go. Now go up to my daughter and cheer her up with the news that you are forcibly detained, and will not sail till she is cured." Here the two men clasped hands, threw open their mouths to their widest extent, and laughed long and--silently. "But now run up to Feodora; she needs you badly, and I have some very important business to attend to." So the Doctor again ascended to Feodora's room. He found there his wife and Mattie, all three in tears. "Come, come, girls, wipe your eyes. Please leave me alone with Miss Feodora a few minutes. I will join you down stairs directly." "And now," said he, "cheer right up. We are not going to leave you until your father consents. I have made the arrangement with him, but it must not be known to anyone else. You understand, do you not?"