Ere Ivan had time to make any answer to this extraordinary communication, the speaker had escaped, and following her with his eye, he traced her, until she rejoined the party of dancing girls, who shortly moved away from the spot. On returning in search of Thaddeus, he pondered on what he had just heard. "Extraordinary being that she is," thought he; "what secret motive can so deeply interest her in my actions, and how can she become acquainted with plots and conspiracies of such deep import?" At first, he hesitated to mention the occurrence to his friend; but, on their return to the hotel, when he was rallied on account of his silent and meditative mood, he informed him of the warning he had received. Thaddeus laughed loud, as he expressed his opinion; "Truly, indeed, this is an excellent excuse which the pretty Gipsy has discovered for renewing her acquaintance with you; why, Ivan, I see through it all. She has fallen desperately in love with you, and would have told you so, had you given her the slightest encouragement, and the time been more opportune." Ivan indignantly repelled the idea. "No, no!" he said, "her manner was too earnest--too respectful to bespeak any such inclination. She naturally feels gratitude for our aid in rescuing her from the power of that smiling faced ruffian, the Count Erintoff, and, in return, has warned us of the revenge he meditates for our interference, and which she has, by some means, discovered. With regard to the more important part of her disclosure, I confide in you with an equal trust to that she has reposed in me. I gather from her words that a plot is being laid to overthrow the whole mighty fabric of this despotic government, which now appears to stand on so immoveable a foundation." A laugh again burst from his friend, who replied, "Your vivid imagination, my dear Ivan, carries you beyond the limits of probability; though I sincerely wish it were so; but I rather think that the pretty messenger's sole view, was to excite your curiosity, in order to gain another interview." "Time will shew, Thaddeus," replied the other, "I differ entirely from you, and, until then, I will not give up the opinion I have formed of Azila."