“I shall not change my decision for a bribe, Colonel Petrosch,” she answered instantly and proudly.
“It is not meant as a bribe; but your presence will be an embarrassment to the new Government, and in any case you must go. Must: it is imperative. Pray think, then, before you set the Government at defiance.”
“I have given my decision, and nothing will alter it, Colonel Petrosch.”
“That is your last word?”
“On that point, my last word.”
“I regret it deeply. I have now no option but to tell you that you will be a prisoner. I can, at any rate for the present, spare you the harassment of being removed from your own house. But the house is in possession of our troops and I must ask you to remain in your own apartments, pending our decision in regard to your movements.”
“I shall make no attempt to run away,” said Gatrina, getting up as she spoke.
“Wait,” I broke in. “I should like to put a question or two.”
Petrosch turned upon me an inscrutable look and replied with a shew of sternness: “You can do nothing to influence our decision in such a matter, Mr. Bergwyn. The Princess has refused our offer. That is all.”
“I don’t think so,” I answered, bluntly. “Are we to understand that the Princess is in any danger from the acts of your agents? We have seen already what some of them are capable of doing.”