The celebration of a double wedding will come off, but he will not be there to enjoy the fun. "Quick, quick, Schinko! Then come to my room to shave me." While at Grusino the minister was in the habit of letting his beard and mustache grow to please Daimona; but always had it shaved off before returning to St. Petersburg. "Take care you don't cut me with your razor," were his first words to Schinko, as he began. Schinko was the only one there to whom he intrusted his throat. "If you slash my face I'll shoot you dead." His two travelling-pistols lay close to his hand. Schinko was cautious, and completed the operation without disfiguring his master's face. A lucky thing for Araktseieff. For the gypsy was resolved at the slightest slip of his razor to cut his master's throat, that he might not have the chance to carry out his threat. Never had Araktseieff been nearer to his grave. As he finished, the bells on the horses' necks were heard in the courtyard below. Thrusting the Czar's letter into his breast-pocket, Araktseieff hurried away to say good-bye to Daimona. She had locked herself up in the room. "I have gone to bed." "Then good-bye, my dear!" He had no time for more. Daimona, from her window, could see the carriage dash away, with its escort of torch-bearers. It was pitch-dark, the rain coming down in torrents--weather in which one would not have sent out a scullion. CHAPTER XXXVII IT'S NOT THE KNIFE ALONE THAT STRIKES TO THE HEART Araktseieff, on arrival at the palace, was received by Chevalier Galban. "What has happened here?" he asked, as he changed his travelling-dress for his uniform. "A startling change. Since his daughter's death the Czar has become reconciled to the Czarina, and is with her constantly. Every diplomatic action has been broken off. The Greek deputation has not been received, the commanding officers of the various regiments of the guards have been despatched back to their colonies." "And what do the women say to all this? That's the main point." "The women are deucedly hard to get at just now. Since the reconciliation of the Czar and Czarina, domestic fidelity has become the rage in St. Petersburg. Every man is seen driving out with his wife. Even Princess Ghedimin ostentatiously parades everywhere on her husband's arm, and conducts herself so prudishly that she scarce returns my bow." "And Zeneida?" "Is in disgrace. The court chamberlain has intimated that it would not give displeasure in high quarters if she were to pass the coming season under a more genial clime. Upon which she at once sent back her credentials as court singer. She is having a sale of her furniture, and is preparing for immediate departure." "And the cause of disgrace?" "Pushkin. You are aware that he was to have married Sophie Narishkin?" "That is--it was a piece of medical jugglery. They proposed to prolong the invalid's life and make it happier by her betrothal."