Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/166

 CHAPTER XIV

THE COUNTESS'S RUSE

As we crossed the hall she turned to leave the house by the front door, where Zoiloff was standing.

"I have something still to say to you," I said shortly, as I opened the door of the room where I had seen her before this futile interview.

"You wish to thank me, I suppose, for having been the means of revealing to each of you the other's love," she answered, with another of her flaunting laughs; though she changed quickly and said: "You may spare your thanks. I had a purpose—and you will soon learn the reason. I am a dangerous woman, for all your contempt of me."

"Too dangerous to be at liberty, Countess," I answered curtly. "It is to tell you that I have brought you here."

"What do you mean? That you will dare" The words died away as she read my purpose in my eyes, and the first symptom of fear I had ever seen in her showed itself, only however to be at once crushed out of sight. One of her bitter sneers followed. "So I have put my foot in a trap, you think, and your lovely Princess is but a paltry decoy. A truly royal part for the august ruler that is to be!"

"Your railing falls on unheeding ears, Countess. I have made my decision."