‘Not an officer,’ said Jack, finishing the sentence.
‘Exactly, and for some reason Prince Mentschikoff is obdurate. I fear Vladimir, who possesses much influence with him, has been using it against you. I will, however, see what I can do for you to-day. Meanwhile it would be better if you kept to the house, or at least the grounds. I—er—forgot to mention that I have pledged my word for your safe custody.’
Jack understood the delicately inferred hint. ‘Do not fear, count, that I could ever think of repaying your kindness by escaping,’ he said.
‘And I implore you not to attempt it. The whole country swarms with our men, and capture would be certain. Then it would be Siberia for you, even if nothing worse happened.’
When the count had departed a servant came to Jack’s room with a message, saying that the countess desired to see him. He at once went, and found Irma and her mother together.
The elder lady greeted him kindly, the younger with marked cordiality. Soon Irma carried Jack off to the grounds, and they were at once on their old familiar footing, as though the scene with Vladimir had never occurred. During the morning Irma said, ‘When this terrible war is over, why don’t you exchange into the Russian service?’
Jack stared at her in surprise. ‘Why on earth should I?’ he asked.
‘Why not? Alexis tells me we have many Englishmen and Scotsmen in our army and navy. They have all risen to high commands. So would you; you are clever, you are brave, you are a gentleman. You say in your army you can never hope to be an officer. Why not join ours? Alexis is your friend, he has great influence, he would do anything for me. In a few years you might be a colonel, a General. Who knows?’
Jack paused and gazed at his companion in astonishment. ‘I—I’—— he began. ‘It is impossible.’
‘Why?’