“Oh, I’d just as soon tell you,” she went on. “The fact is, I’m getting tired of my work. Not tired of the pleasure of society, nor tired of my particular friends, the young officers who come to St. Petersburg to spend their furloughs. But tired of having it whispered about secretly that I have liberal views, and thereby drawing to me the officers who hold revolutionary opinions. Tired of sympathetically leading them on, little by little, to confide in me. Tired of telling you, and having them disappear--poor fellows!” “Um. What would have been the position of the widow of the bankrupt Count Baronoff but for this salary?” “I have needed the money, yes. But now, I’m tired. Besides, if I’m found out, or if a few wrinkles come, my usefulness to you is over and the salary stops. I’ve been doing a little serious thinking, and here’s what I’ve decided. If I have so infatuated Mr. Drexel that I can lead him into a plot that will make him your victim, why should I not----” She stopped, and her eyes gleamed tantalizingly at the prince. “Well?” “Well, instead of that, why should I not make myself your cousin?” “You mean marry him?” “He’s rich--has a big career before him--and I rather like him. Why not?” “Why not?” cried the prince in a low, harsh voice, leaning towards her. “Because I will not have my plans interfered with! Because I will not have you for a relative!” “Thanks for the compliment, prince,” she said dryly. “But how will you prevent it?” “By telling him what you are--the cleverest, keenest, most heartless woman spy in Russia!” “Perhaps I also might tell something.” “What do you mean?” “I might tell Miss Howard who you are--the ruthless, secret----” He rose and stood above her, his eyes glittering. “Be careful, countess,” he said slowly, ominously. “You yourself have said that I would hesitate at nothing. Well, be warned by your own words!” Her daring had carried her too far. She knew this man, and knew that if he but willed it she would mysteriously disappear never to be seen again. Her face kept its calm, but inwardly she could but flinch before the dark menace of his look. After a moment, she spoke again. “I think we will both go farther, prince, if we go together and in harmony. Come, which is it to be--fifty thousand--or am I to withdraw from the affair?” Berloff did not answer at once; then he said: “Fifty thousand.” “So be it,” said she. “But you must finish this at once.” “I’ll claim the money within three days.” She rose and took his arm. “Come, let us go back to the others.” Two minutes later she was again with Drexel, trying with look and veiled words to win his sympathy for her cause. CHAPTER XII IN THE PRINCE’S STUDY