Unaware how much the princess had learned of his secret dealings, the fatuous Bora had come in the full assurance that the approach of a Russian army and the consequent rumors of annexation would have disposed her to welcome his suit as a means of retaining her throne. He now perceived his error. The princess was not so timid a person as he had thought. Her stern manner somewhat alarmed him. He began to regret his imprudence in thus venturing into her presence. "In short, your grace, marriage with you is the only thing that can save me from deposition. Is not that what you would say?" "You reject my suit? Good! Then let this interview terminate," said Bora, rising as if to depart. The princess restrained him by a haughty gesture. "Keep your seat, or I shall call the guard." The duke obeyed, trembling now for his own safety. Never had he seen the princess looking so angry. "Why, during the past twelve months, have you insulted me with vows of love, with offers of marriage?" "Insulted? Why that word?" said the duke, striving to conceal his alarm under an assumption of dignity. "Because while simulating affection for me you were secretly intriguing with my enemies." "You have been listening to the aspersions of Zabern." "I have been listening to the words of Lipski. Ah! you start, my lord, and well you may. You are not yet aware--for the affair was carried out very quietly--that a raid was made this afternoon upon Lipski's premises. His cellars were found to contain a vast store of arms. In the house, too, was a number of Russian agents, among them the spy, Ivan Russakoff. Lipski has made full confession." "Of what?" muttered the duke, looking thunderstruck at the princess's statement. "Of many things. Here is one. About a twelve-month ago there was established a new journal entitled the 'Kolokol,' mainly devoted to the libelling of myself and to the stirring-up of civil strife. Before the founding of that newspaper the Muscovites of Russograd were as loyal and law-abiding as the Poles themselves; under the influence of the 'Kolokol,' however, they have become restless, disorderly, inclined to sedition. Was that well done, John Lilieski?" "What has this to do with me?" "Much, for though Lipski might be editor, yet he who actually owned the paper, financed it, and secretly controlled its policy was none other than the Duke of Bora." "A fable of Lipski's, invented to please the princess's ministers." "We will see whether you adhere to that statement in the presence of Lipski, for you shall have the opportunity of facing your accuser. He likewise avers that his measure, the Secular Appropriation Bill, was in reality your work; he simply acted as your mouthpiece in the Diet. The money with which he corrupted the deputies was supplied by you, and came from Orloff, the governor-general of Warsaw." "A falsehood. I affirm the story to be a falsehood."