CHAPTER XXIX
Vera’s news disquieted me much. To know that Mazeppa was daily at her house poisoning her father’s mind against me was not pleasant knowledge. And I was to be refused admittance! Well, I could scarcely expect the Boyar, her father, to be greatly pleased with me since he had learned of my conduct in taking Vera’s part against his commands.
As I came near my lodgings that evening someone suddenly ran out from the shadow of a house and made a wild swoop at me with a knife. She was muffled to the eyes, but I should have guessed it was Olga Panief even if she had not spoken.
I easily avoided the blow, and, catching her wrist, compelled her to drop the weapon.
‘Now, you fury,’ I said, ‘we are equals for the jilting at Batourin. In future you will think twice before treating an honest love in such fashion: I loved you and meant honestly by you. Will you promise that you will leave me in peace henceforward?’
‘Not I; you are not fit to live, cheat and liar! I shall kill you at sight at the first opportunity.’
‘There may be no opportunity. I have heard you say such things that if I were to report them you should be knouted into your grave before you were many hours older. Have you forgotten bidding me slay the Tsaritsa-elect, your rival, for no better reason than jealousy?’
‘No one would believe such as you,’ she snapped; ‘you have no proofs.’
‘You made the same proposal to Mazeppa. He will be glad to witness you out of the world; as his wife you are a tie to him.’
She struggled furiously at these words, but I would not let her go, and upon her knife I placed my foot for safety.