The one thin slender chance of averting this catastrophe was to hide the fact that Helga Boreski the Nihilist and Helga the daughter of Prince Lavalski, the Emperor’s former friend, were identical; but even this forlorn hope would be cut off when the Duchess Stephanie got to the Emperor and told her story. Boreski himself knew all about it, and in all probability had told his wife.
Still, whatever we might attempt, there were big risks, and we must be content to take them and deal with them as they threatened us. The first consideration was to get at the Emperor before the Duchess and strike the first blow.
A glance at Helga’s face when she came down told me she had not slept. She was very pale. I told her where we were going, and added—
“You have not taken my advice and got some sleep.”
“I wish to speak to you earnestly a moment. I have been thinking. You must not do this thing for me.”
“I will give it up on one condition—only one.”
“What is that?”
“That you give it up also, and, instead of going back to Petersburg, you cross the frontier with me!”
“That you know is impossible;” and her face clouded.
“Come, then; and don’t keep the carriage waiting.”