“I have lived for years,” she exclaimed, “under the impression that I saw in you gentlemen an overworked Russian proprietor and a French Seigneur, overworked also, but in wifely interests. I apologize for my mistake; you are merely a couple of idlers, confirmed in that same lamentable sloth that enables men of the south to do nothing, very gracefully, for long hours at a time.” “What procures us this withering indictment?” Salvières protested, laughing. “Remember, dear lady, that it is months--months since the rights of brotherhood have been exercised between Basil and myself! Would you proscribe them beneath your hospitable roof?” “And what about the rights of my guests to the companionship of the two most important and--let me add--the two most agreeable personalities beneath the roof you invoke?” she replied, with spirit. “Give me your arm, Salvières; and as to you, Basil-Vassilièvitch, seek the protection of your own wife from the ides of my wrath. She is looking for you, anyhow,” she concluded, returning to a simpler form of address. “Salvières,” she ruefully whispered in the ducal ear almost on a level with her mouth--for she was a remarkably tall woman--“that young and strangely disquieting couple need watching, or we will see them upset by the roadside.” Salvières started a little and stared surprisedly at her. “What makes you think that?” he asked, irritably, for his nerves were beginning to be jangled. “Intuition, assisted by clear sight and miles of experience,” she said, gravely. “That sweet girl in there,” and she pointed to the buzzing drawing-room--which she often playfully alluded to as the _sala-del-trono_, because it was only thrown open on solemn occasions--“has been purposely created to cause the downfall of great and good men. Remember what I say. Some day, perhaps not so very distant, you’ll find that I’m no idle prophet.” CHAPTER XI My house and all it holds is thine, But your deeds shall be no guests of mine. Tverna, _12th of May_.