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 had started, but these last words of the old soldier recalled me to myself quickly enough.

"With me?" I said in surprise.

"Certainly, with you," he answered sharply.

The suggestion of solicitude for me still lingered on the Princess's face as she left the door and went to the old man.

"I have passed my word for his safety, General," and she looked meaningly at him.

"Do I look so fierce and terrible an object, madame, that the gentleman will be afraid to trust himself alone with me, think you?"

"I have passed my word for his safety," she repeated, and turning to me, she added, "You may depend upon that, sir," and as she left the room she gave me a look from her glorious eyes which seemed to say much more than even her words.

The old soldier smiled sardonically, and bowed low to her as she passed him.

"Umph! And now, sir, will you come with me; or are you, as madame was disposed to think, afraid to trust yourself with me? Zankoff, I do not wish to be disturbed," he said abruptly to the Major.

He led me to a room beyond and motioned me to a chair, near the table at which he seated himself.

"You know, I presume, where you are, who I am, and who that is we have just left!" he began.

"I do not know all, but I can make a shrewd guess. She is the Princess Christina; you, I presume, General Kolfort, and this house, either yours or hers."

"As you say, a very shrewd guess—even for one known to have such quick wits as the Count Benderoff, of Radova." He intended to surprise me, as indeed