"No—no!"
"Very well then, I will say nothing except—"
"Be careful!"
"Oh," and the girl turned imploringly to me, "take us somewhere, so that I can talk to her alone."
"There's said to be a good enough hotel in Cettinje. I'll take you both there," I ventured.
"Come and see me early—early, Prince," said the Countess.
"Yes. But I am not 'Prince' to you now. I am 'Otto.'"
"Otto, then."
So I got them away, leaving the man behind, to his own devices, and at the door I had the joy of wrapping Maida in my big coat. How glad I was that I had brought it! I drove them to a hotel in the place at the end of the long main street, and when the Countess had hurried ostentatiously off to her room, that no nefarious attempts might be made upon her resolution. She and I stood for a moment hand in hand, in the dim hall.