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 in my ears like the strain from some angel's song, and filled me with such enthusiasm that I longed for the moment of action, and could scarce find patience to wait through the lingering hours of darkness that I might begin my work; and I lay, my brain simmering with plots and plans against the two men, Sergius and Kolfort, who were thus leagued against Christina.

By the morning, however, I was cooler, and in a fitter frame of mind to face the thousand difficulties of the position.

Spernow was with me early, and I had my first lesson in the necessity of keeping my feelings out of sight. He had heard of my interview with the Princess, and came eager to learn the result. I knew very well by this time that that very shrewd little Mademoiselle Broumoff was at the bottom of his eagerness, and I was on my guard.

I told him that the Princess had convinced me of the soundness of her policy, and that I should do all in my power to help her.

"Is she not all I said of her?" he asked.

"She is a woman with a mission," I answered somewhat coldly. "But her mission is a high and bright one in the interests of Bulgaria and freedom, and, as those are interests in which I feel a deep concern, I shall give her all the help in my power."

The studied deliberateness of my tone perplexed him, for he looked at me in some surprise and disappointment.

"Is that all you thought of her, my dear Count? You must have a cool head—for you have filled her with enthusiasm."

This was sweet music to me indeed; but I replied indifferently: