Page:In the name of a woman (1900).djvu/88

 "You had a long conference with General Kolfort?" she asked, a minute later.

"Yes; he threatened me with all the power of his enmity if I did not decide to ally myself on his side, and gave me a week in which to do so or leave the country."

"And your decision?" she asked quickly.

"Has been made to-night."

"To do what?"

"To devote myself without reserve to your interests."

"I am glad—and proud."

No answer that she could have made could have filled me with more supreme pleasure.

"I had feared a quite different result from news which reached me to-day. You know your affairs are pretty freely discussed just now."

"What news was that?"

"I heard that you had received a captain's commission in the Prince's own household regiment. Is that so?"

"It was unsolicited by me; and I learnt it only to-day. I have not yet accepted it. I am to see His Highness to-morrow."

"You will find him a good man, but sorely distracted by doubts and fears. All willing to serve Bulgaria; but afraid of Russian influence, and unable to choose good advisers here. His nerves have been shaken by the plots against his life, and his judgment shattered till he cannot appraise the men about him. Were matters different he would be an ideal ruler for us."

"And what of the other influences round him?" I asked guardedly; but she understood me and replied openly: