"It's an outrage," she said quietly.

"I knew you wouldn't believe it!" exclaimed Mrs. White.

"Believe it! of course it isn't true! It's not possible!"

There was a ring at the door just then, and Mrs. White excused herself to answer it.

She opened upon Ivan's mysterious visitor, Alexander Poubalov.


[CHAPTER V.]

THE AGENT OF THE CZAR.

"Good-morning," said Poubalov, gutturally; "this is Madame White, I believe?"