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 shall summon my servants that they may remove you."

She faced me unflinchingly.

"You dare not," she said.

"Then be silent, and end these ill-timed jibes, and leave the room."

"Jibes? Is that a jibe? And she raised her arm and waved it to where the Princess Christina stood, her face covered with deep ruby blushes. "An unconventional love avowal, at any rate. You are a brave man, Count Benderoff, and I do believe that much rarer thing, a modest one; but at least you should not quarrel with me because I tell the Princess that you love her, and let you see by the surest token that a woman can give that she loves you in return."

At this the Princess sank upon a chair and concealed her face in her hands, between the white fingers of which the deep red glow was showing.

I turned away and would not let her think I had seen it.

"Your cowardice and insolence have drained my patience," I said fiercely to the Countess. "Come," and I went to the door.

She stood a few seconds, as if hesitating whether to defy me longer, and glanced in infinite triumph at the troubled figure of the Princess.

"If the interview has not accomplished your object," she cried, "at least it has not been without interest;" and with a last insolent, exultant laugh, she swept out of the room, followed closely by me, more resolved than ever to cage this angry, dangerous tigress.