No wonder her countrymen were afraid of her; no wonder it was a slight shiver she occasioned at times, in those who guessed what lay hidden behind the impassive mask of the Russian grande dame, the friend of princes, of kings and cardinals; perhaps it was the terror of the unknown, a vague fear caused by this beautiful, impenetrable, and certainly dangerous sphinx.
As for his Eminence, not being a Russian he had no cause to fear Madame Demidoff, but every reason to admire her, and sharpen his diplomatic wit against hers; as for shivers, they certainly were not cold ones she gave him down the back. He saw in her a most brilliant and agreeable conversationalist, who knew everybody that was worth knowing, had been everywhere that was worth visiting; her taste in matters artistic was unerring, her knowledge of interesting objets d’art the most complete on record. She had once written a most interesting pamphlet on the thimbles of Catherine II., another on the spurs of Peter the Great; she professed an ardent enthusiasm for the Roman Catholic Church, and showed an equally genuine one for its high dignitaries. Failing a trip to the Austrian Tyrol, his Eminence thought the recherché little dinners, en tête-à-tête with Madame Demidoff, the most consoling, most exhilarating holiday for his much harassed mind.
“And your Eminence is really leaving us to-morrow?” said the fair Russian with a sigh, when, having adjourned to her dainty boudoir after dinner, she sat lazily reclining in an arm-chair, a gold-tipped cigarette between her fingers, and a pair of arch black eyes fixed coquettishly on the reserved, impassive face of her vis-à-vis.
“It is unkind to speak of it at this early hour, madame, and embitter the last pleasing moments I shall spend in this delightful capital,” replied the Cardinal.
“Come, come,” she added coquettishly, “I did not know that diplomacy completely precluded truthfulness, even at the shrine of gallantry. If rumour speak correctly, your Eminence is only leaving us for newer, and therefore more enjoyable scenes.”
“Alas! chère madame, rumour, which spoke truly at morn, now talks falsely at even. I certainly had intended to go to Carlsbad for a fortnight’s relaxation among the beautiful mountains——”
“Incognito?” she asked mischievously.
“Incognito,” he smiled in reply. “But alas! unforeseen duties have since called me elsewhere.”
“Why, that is very sudden,” she said; “M. Volenski, whom I met last night, told me that your Eminence had completed your work, and were going on leave of absence for three weeks at least.”
“Iván Volenski told you what was quite correct last night, but alas! has ceased to be so to-day,” sighed his Eminence with angry impatience.