"I repeat it." "You say you are devoted to me." "In the past--at the present--for the future!" "Give me a proof." "Speak, godmother." "Tell me by what means you propose _to make me free?_" Madame de Hansfeld's voice faltered, then she added, instantly and quickly,-- "Without either you or me being inculpated in the--the--What is to be done?" These words seemed to burn Paula's lips as she uttered them. "Why that question?" "I have no faith in the possibility of what you have promised me and do not look to profit by it, but I wish to know by what means you propose--in fact, you understand me----" "What purpose will it answer to tell you?" "If they appear to me less horrid than I conjecture, perhaps--I do not know----" Then the princess, frightened at what she had said, put her hand over her eyes and exclaimed,-- "No, no, leave me--go--and never more return. I will never see you again! Begone!" "Forgive me, godmother!" "No, begone, I tell you!" "Well, then, I will tell you by what means." And Iris lowered her voice, awaiting with anxiety another order to go. Paula remained silent. Iris continued,-- "Yes, I will, as you desire it, inform you of the means by which you may be free. But mind, beware!" Madame de Hansfeld looked steadfastly at Iris. "I am to mind?--beware?" "Yes! for you may bitterly repent having interrogated me on this subject. You have scruples now, and they will become greater when you are informed of my intentions. But for the promise you extracted from me not to do anything without your knowledge I might have saved you a world of anguish; sometimes even I ask myself if I am not mad to obey you in this particular. I have no wish or aim but your welfare. The odium of the perjury will only fall back on me; no matter--you will be happy!" "Have you dared to disobey me in what you have promised?" "Unfortunately, I have not dared; your word is law to me--at least allow this submission to your will to give you a profound, blind faith in my word." "Your word?" said Paula, scornfully. "Yes, and I swear to you that events have so marched without your mixing with them in any way, as you know better than any one else; that in less than a week you may, perhaps, be free, and not only will no suspicion light on you, but the interest, the sympathies of the world will be with you." Madame de Hansfeld looked at Iris with surprise, almost with consternation. "But this being the case, why do you not inform me fully as to these events since you say I am so entirely strange to them?" "Because of your scruples, godmother." "My scruples? Why should I have any? Am I not innocent of what is passing?" "Your scruples will arise, although very absurd: they will arise, I tell you, and you will listen to them." "In what way?"