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 what passed this morning at your house, that—well, that all was as we wished, and that you were already with us."

"You thought this?" I asked, purposely putting an emphasis on the pronoun. She understood me and smiled.

"The Princess and I both thought it," and I heard this with delight.

"You did not hear more than the truth, mademoiselle."

"Then we are to be friends in it all?" she cried; and her face was radiant with pleasure as she turned her eyes once more full upon me.

"Show me how I can serve the Princess, and I will do it with my whole heart, and if need be with my life."

"She will be here to-night, and you can tell her. The news will have the pleasanter savour coming direct from you."

She knew how to fire me, and I would have given half my fortune to have known what lay behind the meaning glance of her eyes, which started thoughts I would not silence, and yet dared not indulge.

As I sat there, half bewildered, I saw a tall, fair, truculent-looking man forcing his way arrogantly among the people and coming in our direction, while he looked about him on all sides in search of someone.

"Who is that?" I asked.

"A man to fear, Count—the worst enemy we have, Duke Sergius. A man whose eyes we have always to blind."

At that moment he caught sight of my companion and he hurried his pace, a heavy frown darkening his sensual, insolent features.