Just then he was called out, and when he returned a few minutes later, his face was grey and drawn and haggard with anxiety.
“You must take her away from Warsaw,” he said.
“I? Ladislas! What do you mean?”
He held up a paper in his trembling hand. “News from Petersburg. The soldiers are drawn up in thousands all over the city there. Guns are posted in all directions; God knows what is going to happen. If there is bloodshed there, hell will break loose here. You alone can save her.”
“But, Ladislas, you forget. For me to do anything now——”
He caught both my hands in his agitation. “You’ll do this, Robert? For our old friendship’s sake? For her sake? If she stays here, God alone knows what may happen. You must do it. You must. You must.” He was almost hysterical.
“But after what I have told you about her and you have implied to me, my position——”
“What is all that compared to her safety? Do you think I would not trust you? Come to the house with me at once—this instant. Would you leave her in Bremenhof’s power?”
“No, no, I cannot go with you. You ask too much. For her sake, no less than mine, you must find some other means,” I protested.
“There is no other way,” he cried, impetuously and vehemently. “She shall know the truth. I will tell her that you renounce—that—you know what I mean. For God’s sake, don’t hesitate or it may be too late. At any cost she must be saved; and her family can do nothing. She shall know that you are acting for me. I will explain everything. It is no time for mere scruples or personal feeling. If I trust you, surely you can trust yourself.”