"The siege of Tajapore!" said the princess. "Ah! that was a noble defence. Would four hundred of our men have done the like, think you, Zabern?" and without waiting for reply she turned to Radzivil and asked: "Did you inquire of Captain Woodville how long he intends to remain in Czernova?" "His stay will be very brief, I fear," replied Radzivil, thinking of the duel and its probable issue. "Very long, you mean," said Zabern in a grim whisper to the premier, "for you believe he'll never quit Czernova." "I should like to see this illustrious Englishman ere he departs. Count, you must arrange for an audience." And the count, knowing that he was conniving at a breaking of the law which would probably end in the death of this same Englishman, felt extremely uncomfortable, and but for the presence of his colleague, would certainly have revealed the whole truth. "But how," inquired Barbara, "can Captain Woodville's words bring about an Anglo-Russian War?" "Why, thus," returned Zabern. "He was interviewed at Alexandria by the correspondent of the English 'Times,' to whom he stated his belief that the artillery officers commanding the Afghans in their attack upon Tajapore were really Europeans in disguise, his opinion being based upon the superior way in which they handled their guns. And of what nationality they were is shown by the fact that Russian words were frequently heard in the heat of the _mêlée_. Captain Woodville has already embodied his views in despatches which are now under the consideration of the British cabinet. We shall soon have a troubling of the diplomatic waters. Lord Palmerston, alarmed at the recent advances made by Russia in Central Asia, is in no mood to be trifled with. He may seize upon the siege of Tajapore as a _casus belli_. If an Anglo-Russian war should come--" Zabern checked his utterance and tapped the hilt of his sabre significantly. "Then will come the day of Poland's uprising," said the princess with a heightened color. "My lords, you may withdraw." The premier of Czernova and the Warden of the Charter rose, bowed, and retired, wending their way in leisurely fashion to the entrance of the palace. "Marshal," said Radzivil, with a troubled look, "the princess seems to take great interest in this Woodville?" "So much the more angry will she be with the man who slays him," returned the other, coolly. "Which is your reason for wishing this duel to take place?" said Radzivil angrily. "You seek to destroy my favorite scheme of uniting the princess and the duke?" "Precisely; that is my object. Her Highness will certainly be offended at seeing her future consort presuming to set himself above the law. It may cause her affections to become alienated. The duke has walked nicely into my net, as I foresaw he would." "What net?" "The Anti-duelling Act," replied Zabern with a cynical smile. "Why was I so earnest in getting the Diet to pass that measure?" "To please the princess."