I was too stunned by the enormous difficulties on all sides to see what to do or say.
Suddenly she rose, her manner half-anxious appeal and half-veiled threat as she said—
“The man who ruined my father was your confidential adviser and his former friend, Prince Kalkov. If you feel that he is too valuable to you, you will probably do nothing and leave me to deal with those papers as I will. But I beg your—I beg you, monsieur, to think, if not of my father and my wrongs, at least to consider what it may mean to Russia. In an hour doubtless you will be able to decide and leave Brabinsk. And remember, oh remember, how I have trusted you and how much I have built upon this interview.”
And without waiting to hear the protest that sprang to my lips she left the room.
Chapter X—VASTIC
IT was dusk when our interview ended, and lighting a cigar I stepped out through the window into the gardens to think.
The tragic and unutterably sorrowful story which Helga had told me had filled the cup of my sympathy with her to overflowing, and help her I vowed I would in some way. But she herself made that help extremely difficult to plan. If I left the place without giving her some pledge in my false character as Emperor, she would instantly make use of those papers, and thus shut the last door upon the chance of his doing anything.
There was the possibility that if I were to give her some such pledge I might afterwards be able to get her the interview with the real Emperor that she desired. But so much further deceit and lying would be involved that I ruled out the idea at once.