"It grows late and you are tired," mocked Katinka, successfully keeping her temper, and thereby disappointing the Duchess; "we had better not waste time." Leah yawned. "It seems to me that we have been doing nothing else since you came in." "Demetrius is in England." "Really! How very interesting! As doctor or Prince?" "As an escaped Siberian felon." "No!" Leah's face assumed a skilful expression of mingled pity and horror. "Poor little man! He was mad to go to Russia. I thought so when I read his letter, which I sent you." "The forged letter." "Don't be silly; one would think you were on the stage." Katinka bit her lip to prevent furious speech, and locked her arms behind her as though she feared lest temper should engender violence. Leah noted her expression, however, and retreated towards the bell. "You are talking nonsense," she said coldly, "and much as I respect your father, I shall certainly summon, the servants to put you out unless you go at once." "I shall not go, and you shall not order your servants to put me out," cried Katinka, fiercely. "I defy you to press the button of the bell." With a feeling that the girl had scored on this occasion Leah withdrew her hand, making the usual excuse: "For your father's sake I spare you the indignity." "I repeat that I have no father." "And I repeat that I am tired. What do you want?" "You must arrange with me to see Constantine." "Who is Constantine?" "You know." "I do not." "You do." Their eyes met, and this time Leah won the victory over a woman obviously worn out. "Constantine is Demetrius," explained the Russian, in a fatigued voice and closing her eyes. "Oh, my God!" She dropped into her seat with a low wail and covered her face. Leah heard the clock strike the half-hour through the sobs of her visitor. She was absolutely sure that Katinka was at her mercy, and wished to dismiss her, beaten and crushed. But first it was necessary to learn why Demetrius had not come also. Leah moved swiftly towards the broken creature, and laid a firm hand on her heaving shoulder. "My dear----" She got no further. With the elusive spring of a wild animal Katinka flung off the hand, reared, and struck out. The blow fell fairly on Leah's mouth, and she found herself mopping up the blood of a deeply-cut lip before she had any clear idea of what had taken place. "Oh, you liar, you beast, you devil!" cried the Russian, with the savagery of a Kalmuck tent-woman. "I could kill you--kill you." "Mad," mumbled Leah, with the lace handkerchief to her lips.