Aksakoff was less surprised than she anticipated. Her refusal of this money assured him that the story of the engagement was true, and that Leah had rid herself of an undesirable suitor, who had power to compel completion of a forced contract. What power Demetrius had over her Aksakoff could not guess, but the whole circumstances showed that her desire had been for the obliteration of the man, and not to earn two thousand pounds. But nothing of this appeared on his calm face. "Pray take the cheque, madame," he urged, and held it under her nose. "No, no!" She pushed back her chair from that too alluring bait. "I cannot take it, and I shall say nothing about it. Stay"--she took the fluttering paper from his hand and rose. "You have paid me on Jim's behalf--is that not so?" "Yes"; Aksakoff watched her, wondering at this right-about-face. "Then"--she approached the fire and flung in the cheque--"the debt is paid, and you are free." "Ah, but no." "I say, yes." Lady Jim approached him with outstretched hands, and a smile which had won her many things. "You are my friend and not my debtor. Is it not so?" He kissed those extended hands. "Madame, a hard-working and poor official thanks you. My services now and ever are at your command." With the thought that Demetrius might return unexpectedly from Siberia, she thanked him. "I may have to remind you of that some day." "When and where you will, madame!" His pale eyes lighted up with enthusiastic fire. "Were you my wife, I should be an ambassador." "You may be some day. Madame Aksakoff has talents." "Madame Aksakoff is--Madame Aksakoff; and you, are----" "Well, what?" she demanded, smiling. "An angel." "How weak!" "All language is weak, when used to describe such a woman as you, madame. I take my leave. Your servant!" "And my friend?" "To the death, madame!" He went out as stiff and solemn as ever, with the conviction that he had parted from Jezebel's cousin-german. Nevertheless, he admired her prodigiously, especially as he intended to put into his own pockets the two thousand pounds she had so tactfully earned, and so foolishly rejected. The bureaucracy would never hear of her folly, and it would be a pity to return money which a poor official could bank against evil days. Not that Aksakoff expected these. The capture of Demetrius, without publicity, and so cleverly achieved, would gain him infinite credit as an efficient servant of the Czar. "A charming and astute woman," he thought gratefully, when ruminating on certain advancement. "But dangerous," added Prudence.