She met my eyes, and seemed to understand some of the passion that I felt was glowing in them.
“You are incomprehensible, monsieur,” and her eyes fell.
“You must see how I feel. Is it true that because you harboured last night a man whom you believed to be the Emperor, you are likely to be in danger from these reckless fanatics? That question has been burning in my brain ever since the suggestion was prompted by Ivan’s words. Is that to be the terrible consequence of this hapless, ill-conceived visit?”
“It was I who planned the visit, monsieur. Do you think I should not foresee any possible consequences?”
“My God, it’s true then!” I exclaimed. “How could you be so mad, so blind, so reckless?”
“Blind I was not; reckless you have made me.”
“I?”
“Well, Prince Kalkov and your advisers, monsieur, if you prefer that.”
“But I am not the Emperor, mademoiselle,” I cried angrily. “That is what I mean. You have incurred this fearful risk for nothing.”
“You have said so already, many times, monsieur.”