Kathleen shuddered and drew a little further away from Melun. “You coward,” she said, and looked at him with infinite contempt. Again a dangerous light leapt into Melun's eyes. “Have a care,” he shouted, “what names you call me here. I do not wish to be compelled to make you feel your position. But if necessary I shall——” Kathleen did not take her scornful eyes from his face, and Melun at last looked shiftily away. As he apparently did not intend to speak again, Kathleen put to him another question: “Who is the woman,” she asked, “you employed to get me here?” “That is no business of yours,” snarled Melun, “though you can, if you wish to speak to or allude to her, call her Mme. Estelle.” “I merely asked,” said Kathleen, “because I was curious to know how she came to make use of the name of Russia.” “It was simple, perfectly simple. It was largely a matter of guesswork. It was only natural to suppose that you would be doing what you could to smooth matters over with the Czar.” Kathleen nodded a little to herself. There were apparently few details of her father's secret with which Melun was not acquainted. “Now,” said the captain, changing his tone and attempting to be brisk and businesslike, “let us for a moment consider the essential points of the case. Of the ransom, of course, there can be no question. I shall increase the sum because of the obstinate way in which your father has refused my overtures. That, however, will be all the better for us.” He said this with an insinuating air for which Kathleen loathed him. “The only remaining obstacle is yourself. But you, perhaps, will no longer refuse the hand which I so considerately offer you in marriage.” “Captain Melun,” said Kathleen, coldly, “you are at liberty to discuss the business side of this matter as much as you please. But I decline altogether to allow you to insult me. After all, it is unnecessary, for I have nothing to say on the matter, and must refer you to my father.” “I had hoped,” said Melun, “that I might be able to gladden his heart with the news of your consent.” Kathleen turned her back on him, and Melun swore at her without disguise. But she paid no heed. Presently he walked round the room so that he could come face to face with her. “It is early,” he said, “but early hours will do you good. If you will be so kind as to accompany me I will show you to your room.” He led the way up three flights of stairs till they came to a small landing. Out of this there opened only one door, and through this Melun passed. Kathleen now found herself in a large, square room, simply and yet fairly well furnished, partly as a bedroom and partly as a sitting-room. “It is here,” said Melun, “that I am unfortunately compelled to ask you to await your father's decision. However, I release you unconditionally from your promise neither to scream nor to attempt escape.