"'Consider well, lady, before you drive me to despair by such cruelty!' exclaimed the Admiral, with vehemence. 'Consider what you are casting aside as worthless. I have influence at court beyond that of the most powerful; the very Czar fears to offend me, and the wife of Admiral Praxin will be second only to the imperial Catherine in grandeur and dominion. Let me hope that this is only maiden coyness, and that deliberation may alter your decision.' "'I will not deceive you, my lord,' responded the lady, 'by awaking hopes which can never be realized. My hand shall never be yielded to any man by compulsion, or implied claims which I do not acknowledge; nor do I recognize any other right than my own to dispose of it. Dwell upon the subject no longer, or your title to the name of friend will be forfeited. Allow me to retire.' "Dismay was betrayed in every lineament of the sailor's countenance, as he marked the firm tones in which these words were spoken; but anger quickly took its place as he asked, with a glance of suspicion, "'Lady, have I a rival?' "Olinska answered not, and arose to leave the apartment, when Praxin quickly intercepted her, and fell upon his knees. "'Olinska, you shall not leave me thus!' he exclaimed, in tones hoarse with excitement. 'If love will not incline you to accept me, let ambition do it. _I have the power to place you on the throne of Russia_, if you but say the word; your own countrymen, the refugees from Sweden, and twenty thousand discontented serfs will rise at my bidding; the navy is mine, and, by a wave of the hand, I can become an Emperor.' "With a look of the most unmitigated disdain, the lady regarded the supplicant at her feet. "'I will not parley longer with a _traitor_,' she said, in tones so cold and piercing that he involuntarily recoiled from her, and she walked from the apartment with a queenly air. "'I'll be revenged for this,' muttered the discarded suitor, as, with a frowning brow, he took his departure. "Then forth sprang Orloff from his place of concealment, with a smile of no ordinary magnitude distorting his little face. "'Good! and now for the Countess!' he exclaimed, following the Admiral. "Meanwhile, Nicholas had wandered about the city in a most pitiable state of apprehension, and was about to rush madly to the hotel of the Countess, when he beheld the dwarf hastening toward him, carrying a letter at arm's length. "'Here--from the Countess,' ejaculated Orloff, panting for breath, and handing him the missive. Nicholas hastily tore it open, and read: "'DEAR NICHOLAS:--Olinska has had an interview with the Admiral, and, from its results, I fear the worst. Have a chaise and four, at the private door of my hotel before sunset to-day. You may trust Orloff. "'In haste, WALEWSKI.' "'Shall I engage the conveyance?' asked the dwarf, with a grin. "'Yes! I will trust you,' replied the excited officer.