They talked only of the present, of the brilliancy of the fête, of the music, of the thousand lights. Etta was quite incapable of thinking or talking of any other subject at that moment. Steinmetz distinguished Claude de Chauxville easily enough, and avoided him with some success for a short time. But De Chauxville soon caught sight of them. "Here is M. de Chauxville," said Etta, with a pleased ring in her voice. "Leave me with him. I expect you are tired." "I am not tired, but I am obedient," replied Steinmetz, as the Frenchman came up with his fur cap in his hand, bowing gracefully. Claude de Chauxville usually overdid things. There is something honest in a clumsy bow which had no place in his courtly obeisance. Although Steinmetz continued to skate in a leisurely way, he also held to his original intention of looking on. He saw Paul and Maggie come back to the edge of the lake, accompanied by an English lady of some importance in Russia, with whom Maggie presently went away to the concert-room. Steinmetz glided up to Paul, who was lighting a cigarette at the edge of the pond, where an attendant stood by an open wood fire with cigarettes and hot beverages. "Get a pair of skates," said the German. "This ice is marvellous--colossa-a-a-l." He amused himself with describing figures, like a huge grave-minded boy, until Paul joined him. "Where is Etta?" asked the prince at once. "Over there with De Chauxville." Paul said nothing for a few moments. They skated side by side round the lake. It was too cold to stand still even for a minute. "I told you," remarked Paul at length, "that that fellow is coming to Thors." "I wish he would go to the devil," said Steinmetz. "No doubt he will in time," answered Paul carelessly. "Yes; but not soon enough. I assure you, Paul, I do not like it. We are just in that position that the least breath of suspicion will get us into endless trouble. The authorities know that Stépan Lanovitch has escaped. At any moment the Charity League scandal may be resuscitated. We do not want fellows like De Chauxville prowling about. I know the man. He is a d--d scoundrel who would sell his immortal soul if he could get a bid for it. What is he coming to Thors for? He is not a sportsman; why, he would be afraid of a cock pheasant, though he would be plucky enough among the hens. You don't imagine he is in love with Catrina, do you?" "No," said Paul sharply, "I don't." Steinmetz raised his bushy eyebrows. Etta and De Chauxville skated past them at that moment, laughing gayly. "I have been thinking about it," went on Steinmetz, "and I have come to the conclusion that our friend hates you personally. He has a grudge against you of some sort. Of course he hates me--cela va sans dire. He has come to Russia to watch us. That I am convinced of. He has come here bent on mischief. It may be that he is hard up and is to be bought. He is always to be bought, ce bon De Chauxville, at a price. We shall see."