“You are gaining much by this agreement—the assurance that the financial help required by the Government will not be found by me. To be candid I want something in return.”
“Whatever the committee of officers can in fairness pledge the new Government to do, they will—but you will be able to make your terms then.”
“I want the assistance of your party now.”
“In what way?”
“My friend Nikolitch has told you I am especially concerned for the safety of the Princess Gatrina.”
“Yes.” Not the ghost of a feeling even of interest did he shew.
“I wish to be assured of her safety.”
“There can be no difficulty in giving such an assurance,” he answered after a moment’s thought. “So far as I am personally concerned I would do my utmost. But you have some further question to put, I see.”
“She is, I think, coming here to-day. I wish her to be convinced of the feeling of the army, and that the officers are unanimously resolved upon their course of action.”
There was a pause, and I saw Nikolitch glance at me in astonishment and from me to the Colonel.