“One moment of calmness, I implore you,” at last said Orloff. “Answer me one word, only one--and I promise you, on my word of honour, that you shall be set free immediately. “What new invention is that, monster? Speak, traitor,” said the Princess, recovering some composure, as shudderingly she drew the blue mantilla, so well known to the count, closer around her. “You have been questioned so long, and with such persistency,” began Orloff, trying to give his voice a tender and convincing tone, “tell me now all--we are alone; God only can see and hear us.” [Illustration: _“Peter created Russia,_ _Ekaterina gave her a soul!”_] “_Gran Dio!_” said the unfortunate girl, “he invokes the name of God,” added she, raising her eyes to the image of the Saviour which hung on the wall over the head of her bed; “he! Very likely you have arranged this slow torture, this torment! and yet you boasted that torture was abolished here. The empress, I am sure, knows nothing of all this. In this matter she has been deceived, as in everything else.” “Be calm, be calm.… Tell me, who are you?” continued Orloff; “hide nothing. I’ll implore the empress; she will be merciful to you and to me.…” “_Diavolo!_ he asks, ‘Who am I!’” she stammered, half stifled by a new fit of anger. “But cannot you see I have done with the world? I am dying; then to what end all this?” She again began to cough most awfully, and leaning her head against the wall, was silent. “There,--she’ll die without having confessed anything,” thought Orloff, as he stood by her. “In riches and in happiness,” said she, coming to herself, “in humiliation and in prison, I repeat constantly the same thing--and you know it well. I am the daughter of your late empress,” proudly said she, rising. “Do you hear me, miserable, wretched slave, I am your born grand-duchess.…” A bold idea flashed through Orloff’s mind.… “Ah! what’s in a word?” thought he; “she won’t live long, and at one stroke I’ll please them both.” He bent on one knee, grasped the frail pale hand of the captive, and ardently pressed it to his lips. “Your Highness!” stammered he. “Elise! pardon, I swear--yes, I am guilty,--but those were the orders. I myself was arrested. Only now have I received my liberty.…” The poor girl raised her big, astonished eyes to his face, covering her mouth with her handkerchief to stop the blood. “I implore you, I promise you, we will be really solemnly married,” continued Orloff. “You shall be my wife--and then, your Highness--my darling, … my own Elise, rank, riches, faithfulness, life-long devotion.…” “Out! away! monster!” screamed the captive, jumping up. “This bruised hand princes, kings sought--it’s not for you to touch it, branded traitor, inquisitor.”