This wonderful old Salmoros knew everything, but how could he help it, when so many channels of information were open to him? Corsini's answer was a still deeper blush. "She will make you a good wife. Golitzine knows them well; he speaks in the highest terms of her and her mother. The father was a bully and a ruffian, the brother we know was a traitor, and will get his deserts." He raised his glass, bowing to the young man with an old-world courtesy. "To the health of your _fiancée_, the future Countess Corsini. When do you propose to marry?" "I cannot fix the exact date, Baron. Her mother, you may have heard, is very ill. Nada has only returned to the Palace to-day. It would not have been safe for her to do so while that scoundrel Boris was at large." Salmoros mused for a few moments before he spoke again. "So you will marry as soon as all the circumstances will permit. And I take it you will reside in England. What does the young Princess say to that?" "Nada loves England," was Corsini's answer, "and after the events of last night Russia will not have very pleasant recollections for her or her mother." "True," agreed the Baron. "I shall very much like you to spend part of your honeymoon with me at my place in Sussex, if it falls in with your arrangements." "I am sure we shall be delighted, sir," cried Nello. He paused and added a little nervously: "But I hope you won't want to send me on any more missions of this sort. If so, you must let me know the nature of the danger beforehand." Salmoros laughed good-humouredly. "No, my young friend, I will not play that sort of trick upon you a second time. Besides, being a Count and the husband of a very charming Princess, I doubt if I should find you so useful for my purposes. I will do my utmost to advance your artistic interests in England, instead. But remember, it is a promise; you will bring your wife to my house in Sussex, if not upon your honeymoon, at some time convenient to yourselves." Nello assured the benevolent old Baron that they would certainly accept his hospitality, and bade him good-night. Outside he saw the four stalwart figures of his bodyguard waiting for him. Beilski had not relaxed his precautions. It was still possible that some fanatical and devoted adherent of Zouroff might resolve to avenge his defeated chief. A burly, bearded man was walking up and down outside the door of the hotel. Corsini recognised him immediately--"Ivan the Cuckoo." The four men drew nearer, as they perceived the late outlaw was accosting him, but Corsini raised his hand and waved them back. "I waited for you, Signor, to express my thanks to you who have so nobly fulfilled your part of the bargain," said Ivan, speaking in low tones. "I was at the Count's house an hour ago; he has promised me a most substantial sum, part of which will go to my good old comrade, Stepan. After all, Signor, if we must be truthful, it was he who really saved the Emperor."