"'Then, Mr. Officer, I will ask no more questions, but confine myself strictly to statements. You love Olinska, and have a rival in Admiral Praxin, who is favored by the Czar. So strong are your rival's claims that you have no resource save a clandestine marriage. You are now on your way to the hotel of the Countess, intending to perfect your plans with her aid, and baffle the Czar in his designs for the advantage of Admiral Praxin. Don't say a word to me now, you will receive a message before long. Good night, Nicholas Dimitri.' "The little man nodded his head most knowingly, and fairly ran off, leaving the astounded lover looking at the moon. "Nicholas remained perfectly still for some moments, looking vacantly upward, and then went on his way, like one who had just awakened from a strange dream. "'What can this mean?' he asked himself. 'This man, whom I never saw before, has told me of things which no mortal save myself should know, and he is even acquainted with my name. This matter must be quickly settled, or I shall be placed under arrest, with no hope for the future.' "Arriving presently at the door of an aristocratic mansion, he sent up his card, and was speedily ushered into an elegant boudoir, where a beautiful and richly-dressed lady was waiting to receive him. The Countess Walewski was not a young woman, yet the bloom of earlier years still lingered on her cheek, and the sprightly vivacity of girlhood shot forth from her dark brown eyes. "'My dear Nicholas, you are behind time,' she said, giving her hand to the young officer, and causing him to take a seat beside her on a velvet couch. 'Lovers are not often tardy in keeping their appointments, but as I am not the lady, I must excuse you. Upon my word--I did not observe it before--you look discontented. Nothing has happened, I hope?' "'Dearest lady, we are betrayed!' answered Nicholas, gloomily. "'You are jesting.' "'Would to God, I were! A strange man encountered me in the street as I came hither--' and Nicholas gave a full account of his interview with the little man in green. "The Countess appeared much alarmed by the narration, and, for some moments after its conclusion, remained silent, but at length she recovered sufficient courage to reply, "'This is strange indeed--and yet, Nicholas, this man may be a member of the police, who, as you know, make themselves masters of our very thoughts. You say he expressed a desire to assist you, and declared himself your friend; he may have some object in this we know not of--' "'No living man shall rob me of my prize,' interrupted Nicholas, passionately. 'Olinska will be guided by me, and before morning we will be far from the capital. There is no time to lose; we must hasten towards Moscow this very night. Where is she? Why is she not here to meet me?'