Nello grasped the old man's hand warmly. "You have relieved me of the last ounce of hesitation. A thousand, nay, ten thousand thanks." The Baron returned the pressure; he was delighted he had got his own way. "That is understood. On Friday I will have that cut-and-dried also. Now keep up your little sister's spirits--what is her name? Eh, Anita. Tell her that you are going to make fame and fortune, that you will soon be back, and that she will be very happy with these two dear old ladies, who will cosset her like a baby." When he left the Baron he could not quite decide what his feelings were. In a sense he was jubilant at the brilliant prospects before him, but his heart was heavy for Anita. They had lived together all their lives; they had been through terrible and heart-breaking times. To-night he was playing at Leicester House, the abode of a musical duchess. He wanted to play his best; he would not dare to tell the unsuspecting Anita of his speedy departure. Her tears, her grief, would unman him. The first persons he met in the specious saloons overlooking the Green Park were the Princess Zouroff and her daughter. The girl held out her hand. "Ah, Signor, I am so pleased to see you. You must play that lovely little romance to-night. Shall I tell you the reason?" "I require no reason, Princess. It is enough for me that you request me to play it. It shall be played." He blushed a little as he spoke. He was not accustomed to indulge in _persiflage_ with great ladies. A little colour came into her face also. Perhaps the young musician's tone had been more fervent than he intended. "But I will tell you the reason, nevertheless. We have been recalled to St. Petersburg; we leave London next week. That is the reason my brother Boris is not here; he is winding up affairs for his successor." A deeper flush spread over Nello's face. "But that is very strange. I am going there myself. I start next Monday." The young Princess looked pleased. She turned to her mother. "Signor Corsini must call upon us, mother." She looked at him with a little smile. "To-night will not then be the last time I shall hear that lovely romance." The elder woman seconded the invitation warmly. "You shall come and play for us, Signor. I think you will find the Slav temperament a little more fervent than the Anglo-Saxon one." Nello thought this a good time for explanations. Degraux would spread the news about in his world, the Zouroffs would spread it about in theirs. "You know, of course, the Baron Salmoros?" The Princess replied that they had a slight acquaintance with that distinguished financier. "Lady Glendover introduced me to him. He is a very considerable _amateur_, he has been kind enough to take a very warm interest in me. He is going to push my fortunes in Russia." "His name is one to conjure with in Russia," said the grey-haired Princess. "He stands very high in the favour of his Imperial Majesty."