‘Leave us, countess,’ Jack said; ‘I think I can give this feather-bed dandy a lesson in swordsmanship that will lower his pride.’
CHAPTER XLII.
TREACHERY AT WORK.
HARDLY had Jack and the infuriated Russian faced each other, when, even before Irma could interpose, Count Pauloff, who had evidently followed his cousin, rushed into the room.
He took in the position in one glance, and, stepping between his cousin and Jack, began to talk rapidly in Russian. Irma joined in the conversation, speaking vehemently, stamping her foot and looking from one to the other with heightened colour and flashing eyes.
Vladimir Sominoff answered angrily at first; then, mastering his temper, he spoke more calmly, a sneer upon his lips the while.
Jack stood aloof, and from the little Russian which he had learnt from Irma he was able to gather that the count was upbraiding his cousin for having made a scene, while Irma poured contumely upon him with great zeal.
Presently all three left the room, Sominoff going first, and the count taking his sister’s arm. She apparently wanted to speak to Jack before she went; but the count, with his hand on the handle of the door bowed her out, then himself retired, shutting and locking the door behind him.
Jack dropped into a chair. ‘By Jove!’ he muttered, ‘here’s a pretty kettle of fish. I’m sorry for the count. It would have been better if Miss Irma had left me to my own devices. As for that popinjay Sominoff, I’d like to make him stand up before me for ten minutes with bare fists!’
Late that night old Sergius, with a perfectly imperturbable air, appeared and asked Jack if there was anything he required before he retired to rest.
Jack replied that there was nothing; but bade him carry his respectful salutation to the count and countess and the Lady Irma.