The footman ushered him up past the drawing-room, where he had so lately sat, and in which he glimpsed several new callers, and on back into a small rear drawing-room. Here an open fire was blazing, and beside it stood the tall slender figure of the princess, the same haughty, magnificent pride in her bearing. She did not give Drexel a look. He paused within the door, wondering, palpitant. “Andrei,” said she to the footman, “give my excuses to any persons waiting and any who may come, and say that for the present I am engaged.” “Yes, princess.” “And, Andrei--shut the door.” “Yes, princess.” As the door closed the pride and hauteur suddenly faded out of her, and there she was smiling at him brightly, half-mischievously. “Well, John--” said she, in easy English. CHAPTER X “YOU AND I--AGAINST THE WORLD” He drew slowly near her. “So after all, you are----” The smile grew more mischievous. “Mary Davis, of course. Whom did you think?” He was pulsing with exultant wildness; but he knew well that he had to hold himself under control. “Then,” said he, “you at last trust me?” “What you were just about to do proved your sincerity. I could not let you go further with it. But come--please sit down.” He first pushed a chair for her before the fireplace, then drew one up beside her. Her smile sobered and she looked at him steadily. “Yes, I think I can trust you. There are your actions as proof. And then, had you wanted to betray me, you have had plenty of time to do so. Our ideals are separated by the width of the world--but I trust your honour.” “You can indeed!” was all he could say. Her smile came back. Till this last minute he had never seen her really smile, so had never seen but half her beauty. “If I am not mistaken, you are a little curious?” “I am dumbfounded!” “You know so much already, there is no reason you should not know more--provided it goes no further than yourself. First question?” “I--I don’t know where to begin. Five days ago I saw you in St. Petersburg. Yet it seems that all the while you have been in Berlin. I think I can make a guess at the explanation, but----” “Yes, it’s simple enough. First let me say that I was supposed to be abroad for pleasure; in reality I was there on business affairs of the revolutionists. Two weeks ago I suddenly announced that I was leaving Berlin to visit a friend in France. I am known as very self-willed; that explains and excuses much. I secretly entered Russia, as a poor student, on a false passport. When I left you, five nights ago, I took a train; three days ago I reappeared in Berlin from my French visit; the next day I set out for Russia.” “That’s much as I guessed,” said Drexel. “I would have remained here in disguise longer,” she continued, “but last night’s ball had been long arranged for, the invitations had been out for a month, and I had already once postponed my homecoming. To postpone it further was impossible.”