“The wish for the welfare and happiness of my fatherland, and future subjects,” said she, bending her head over her prayer-book, “is so strong in me that I have decided to accept the invitation of the count. Before, he frightened me; I did not believe him. Now I have full confidence. You see, I have kept my word. To all my friends I have said that I am bidding adieu to the world; that for the rest of my life I am shutting myself up in a nunnery.--To you I will say something else.…” She lingered, as though gathering strength. “To-morrow I take my departure,” said she, in a dignified voice; “not for a convent, but with you for the Count Orloff’s. You will not deceive me; you will not betray me?” I silently bowed. What could I answer? I, the faithful subject of her Imperial Majesty. The eyes of the Princess were filled with exultation--with hopes. She knew no doubts, no distrust. Before me stood a woman deeply convinced. Pity for her involuntarily stole over me. “And so till to-morrow, and then, _en route_.…” “Well, thank God, at last,” thought I, “the count will now be able to convince her; he’ll arrange matters for her.” She shook me warmly by the hand; seemed as though she wished to add something, then rapidly disappeared. I also directed my steps to the church porch. As I approached the vessel of holy water, a woman standing there stepped forward and stood in front of me. I recognised the person in black whom I had seen entering the house of Juani. “Konsov,” said she, in an indignant whisper in Russian, pushing me aside behind one of the columns; “you--you are a traitor.” “How dare you say that? Who are you?” asked I. “If you are Russian, tell me your name?” [Illustration: THE COUNT ALEXIS ORLOFF. _“He was neither revengeful,_ _Nor proud, wicked and deceitful._ _He was beloved by the Nation,_ _To the Empress true.”_] “My name’s nothing to you. You are in a conspiracy against her; … you have persuaded her to go; … you have enticed her into a trap”;--whispered, with agitation, the Unknown, gripping my hand. “Swear! … or you are a monster; just such a ruffian as those who got others to ruin another innocent--in Schlusselburg!…” I remembered my grandmother had told me about the bloody drama of Merovitch. “Fear nothing,” said I; “before you, you see an honest officer.… I am only fulfilling my duty, and am convinced that only a better future awaits the Princess.” The Unknown raised her hand, and silently pointed to the image of the Virgin Mary. “I can only repeat what I have already said,” I whispered. “The Princess is safe, and a more happy fate awaits her.” She shook my hand, bowed, and silently left the church. I followed her as far as I could with my eyes, trying to guess who she was, and why she took so profound an interest in the Princess. CHAPTER XI. _THE DEPARTURE FROM ROME._