They chatted for a few moments and then Madame Boleski swept onwards. She was quite stately and graceful and had a well-poised head. Amaryllis turned to the Russian and was startled by the expression of fierce, sardonic amusement in his yellow-green eyes. "But surely, she can see that you are laughing at her?" she exclaimed, astonished. "It would convey nothing to her if she did." "But you looked positively wicked." "Possibly--I feel it sometimes when I think of Stanislass; he was a very good friend of mine." Sir John Ardayre joined them at this moment and the three walked towards the supper room and the Russian said good-night. "It is not good-bye, Madame. I, too, shall be in your country soon and I also hope that I may see you again before you leave Paris." They arranged a dinner for the following night but one, and said au revoir. An hour later the Russian was seated in a huge English leather chair in the little salon of his apartment in the rue Cambon, when Madame Boleski very softly entered the room and sat down upon his knee. "I had to come, darling Brute," she said. "I was jealous of the English girl," and she fitted her delicately painted lips to his. "Stanislass wanted to talk over his new scheme for Poland, too, and as you know that always gets on my nerves." But Verisschenzko threw his head back impatiently, while he answered roughly. "I am not in the mood for your chastisement to-night. Go back as you came, I am thinking of something real, something which makes your body of no use to me--it wearies me and I do not even desire your presence. Begone!" Then he kissed her neck insolently and pushed her off his knee. She pouted resentfully. But suddenly her eyes caught a small case lying on a table near--and an eager gleam came into their hazel depths. "Oh, Stepan! Is it the ruby thing! Oh! You beloved angel, you are going to give it to me after all! Oh! I'll rush off at once and leave you, if you wish it! Good-night!" And when she was gone Verisschenzko threw some incense into a silver burner and as the clouds of perfume rose into the air: "Wough!" he said. CHAPTER II "What are you doing in Paris, Denzil?" "I came over for a bit of racing. Awfully glad to see you. Can't we dine together? I go back to-morrow." Verisschenzko put his arm through Denzil Ardayre's and drew him in to the Cafe de Paris, at the door of which they had chanced to meet. "I had another guest, but she can be consoled with some of Midas' food, and I want to talk to you; were you going to eat alone?" "A fellow threw me over; I meant to have just a snack and go on to a theatre. It is good running across you--I thought you were miles away!" Verisschenzko spoke to the head waiter, and gave him directions as to the disposal of the lovely lady who would presently arrive, and then he went on to his table, rather at the top, in a fairly secluded corner.