“With the greatest pleasure,” answered Olivia gayly--“and--pray don’t forget to come.” At which the Grand Duke grinned like any other man at a merry challenge from a girl. At last the ball was over. Toward two o’clock Pembroke put the ladies of his party in their carriages and started to walk home. Madame Volkonsky had not been able to spoil the ball for Olivia. “Good-bye,” she cried to Pembroke, waving her hand. “To-morrow at four o’clock he comes--I shall begin making my toilette at twelve.” “Very pretty ball of Eliza Peyton’s,” said the Colonel, settling himself back in the carriage and buttoning up his great-coat. “Volkonsky--ha! ha! And that fellow, Ahlberg--by Gad! an infernal sneaking cur--I beg your pardon, my dear, for swearing, but of all the damned impostors I ever saw M. Volkonsky is the greatest, excepting always Eliza Peyton.” CHAPTER XVI. WHILE Olivia might wince, and the Colonel chuckle over the Volkonsky incident, it was a more serious matter to Volkonsky. He had certainly taken into account the possibility of meeting some old acquaintances, but neither he nor Madame Volkonsky had cared to keep up with events in the remote county in Virginia, where they had passed some agitating days. Volkonsky therefore was quite unaware that Pembroke was in Congress. The first meeting to him was an unpleasant shock, as he had learned to fear Pembroke much in other days. But when he began to inquire quietly about him of Ryleief, who evidently knew him, Volkonsky’s discomfort was very much increased. For Ryleief, who rather exaggerated the influence of a representative in Congress, impressed forcibly upon Volkonsky that Pembroke possessed power--and when Volkonsky began to take in that Pembroke’s determined enmity as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee might amount to something, he began to be much disturbed. Before the last guest had rolled away from the door on the night of the ball, Volkonsky and his wife were closeted together in the Minister’s little study. Whatever passing fancy Madame Volkonsky might have entertained for Pembroke some years ago, Volkonsky was quite indifferent--and if Pembroke retained any lingering weakness for her--well enough--he might be induced to let Volkonsky dwell in peace.