“Miss Drakona is prejudiced against the English, Robert,” said Ladislas, turning to me. He flushed with vexation and appeared anxious to apologize for my reception.
“That is surely my country’s misfortune,” said I.
“That is insincere; but being English you of course cannot help it,” was the reply, very unpleasantly spoken.
Ladislas very foolishly took this up. “Anstruther is my friend, Katinka,” he said warmly.
“I don’t see that that affects the sincerity or insincerity of what he says. Mr. Anstruther may as well know that he has caused a great deal of trouble in our family, and that so far as my brother and myself are concerned, we do not thank him for it.”
“My remark just now was merely intended as one of common politeness, madam,” I said. “I am not glad when I find any one prejudiced against my countrymen. And I am quite sincere in expressing regret if I have caused trouble to any of your family.”
Her large eyes were fixed coldly upon me while I spoke and at the end she paused and said—“Indeed!” with a most disconcerting effect.
An awkward pause followed, broken by the entrance of the brother, to whom she introduced me in these terms. “This is Mr. Anstruther, Paul, who has come with Ladislas to induce Volna to run away from Warsaw at a moment when the flight of any one from this house would be a disgrace to the cause of the Fraternity.”
As might be expected, the introduction did not please him. “I am not aware that we need the interference of any outsiders, sir.”
“That is the word—interference,” agreed the sister.