But I did not win without conditions.
"I will get it," she said; "but you remember what I told you before. I repeat it now. You are more surely mine than ever; more surely than ever in my power, Alexis." She emphasized the word and a glance shewed me her meaning. "And we must be married secretly within three days from now. I will make the arrangements."
"As you will," I replied; and I felt glad that in a measure her resort to this compulsion gave me a sort of justification for misleading her.
In less than three days' the Czar's visit would be over and I should either be dead or out of Russia.
But Olga would be saved; and that would be much.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHECKMATE!
As soon as Paula Tueski left me I went round to Olga to endeavour to solve the riddle of the woman's discovery. Olga was out and would not return for an hour. Leaving word that I wished to see her particularly and that she was to wait for me, I went for a walk to try and order my thoughts.
Finding myself near the Princess Weletsky's house, and knowing that I had to keep up the semblance of attentions there, I called. She received me with marks of the most warm regard and welcome.