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 will find you as fair a bride as man's eyes can rest upon. Have you judgment? Aye, have you anything—except a commitment to the other side—and I can prevail with you. Join us, and before three months are over your head you shall be the Prince's right hand—and mine." The subtle witchery of her tone in the last two words was indescribable.

But I would not let her prevail, though her words and manner were well-nigh dazzling enough to carry me out of myself. The magnetism of her mere presence was overpowering.

"You are not fair to me, Countess. A man cannot reason coldly in the presence of such charms as you exert," I answered, stooping to flattery, though telling the truth.

She shook her head and tapped her foot on the ground.

"Say no, bluntly, if you will, but do not try to slip away with words of cheap and empty flattery. I am not appealing to you to join for my sake, gladly as I would welcome you, but for the sake of the Prince, for the cause of truth, for the honour and safety of Bulgaria. Stay" as I was about to answer, "I have seen you act and I have read your character. I do not make mistakes. I know you are to be trusted. You have saved my life, at a greater risk than you may think, for you will be a marked man now; and I will do more than put my life in your hands—I will tell you everything. You will not reveal it—though, Heaven knows, betrayal is the religion of most men here," she exclaimed bitterly.

"I would rather you told me none of your secrets," I said, but she swept my protest aside with a wave of the hand.