"You will have to make your peace with the Czar to get these things." "I will do so." "Through Mademoiselle Askakoff?" "No; there are other ways. I am not worthy of Katinka----" "And, therefore, think yourself worthy of me," said Lady Jim, calmly. "Thank you! There's nothing like being honest." "But you do not understand----" "Oh yes, I do. I understand that you can make me a cheap sort of princess, and in some way can give me money----" "All that you require--as my wife." "You must have the lamp of Aladdin, then," said Leah, with a shrug. "My capacity for spending will try even your finances. But at the present moment I have not a penny, neither has my husband." "Well?" asked the doctor, anxiously. Now that the plunge was made she found less difficulty in speaking plainly. Leaning towards him, till the perfume of her hair and the close neighbourhood of her whole gracious person nearly maddened him into seizing her in his arms, she proceeded rapidly. "My husband's life is insured for twenty thousand pounds. If you as a doctor can arrange to satisfy the insurance company of his death, so that we can get the money, he will disappear, and I, in the eyes of the world, shall be free to marry you." "Do you mean that I should give him a drug, and----" "No; I mean--Harold Garth." "My peasant patient. Well?" "How stupid you are," said Lady Jim, with unfeigned irritation. "This man Garth is very like Jim, and is apparently dying----" "He can't live another two months." "Then the matter is easily managed. Can't you see?" "Yes," replied Demetrius, whose quick brain seized the feasibility of the scheme at once. "But will your husband give you up?" Leah nodded, not wishing to be too explicit. "We have arranged that." "And does he know that his disappearance means our marriage?" "No! He thinks you are poor, and will do anything for money." "Ah," said Demetrius, sarcastically. "Then the high-born nobleman does not credit me with being a gentleman?" "What does it matter what he thinks?" said Lady Jim, impatiently. "We needn't trouble about him after he disappears. Can it be managed?" "Yes, if you will promise to marry me when you are free and in possession of this money." She gave him both hands. "I do promise." He bent down and kissed them, passionately. "Consider it done." "Without any scandal?" "Assuredly. Listen! The Duke wishes to save the life of this Garth, because--he is fond of him." "Yes, yes; I understand. Go on." "I say to the Duke that a warm climate will work wonders," continued Demetrius, dramatically. "He will gladly consent, and with this Garth I go to----" "To Nice, or Cannes, or----" "No," said the doctor, sharply. "If I set foot on the Continent I may be captured by the secret police. I have no wish to take Garth with me to Siberia," he added sarcastically. "It is not a warm climate. The Azores--Madeira--Jamaica--Barbados--any such place, will make him better."