I silently bowed. What could I answer? I, the faithful subject of her Imperial Majesty. The eyes of the Princess were filled with exultation—with hopes. She knew no doubts, no distrust. Before me stood a woman deeply convinced. Pity for her involuntarily stole over me.
“And so till to-morrow, and then, en route.…”
“Well, thank God, at last,” thought I, “the count will now be able to convince her; he’ll arrange matters for her.”
She shook me warmly by the hand; seemed as though she wished to add something, then rapidly disappeared. I also directed my steps to the church porch. As I approached the vessel of holy water, a woman standing there stepped forward and stood in front of me. I recognised the person in black whom I had seen entering the house of Juani.
“Konsov,” said she, in an indignant whisper in Russian, pushing me aside behind one of the columns; “you—you are a traitor.”
“How dare you say that? Who are you?” asked I. “If you are Russian, tell me your name?”
THE COUNT ALEXIS ORLOFF.
“He was neither revengeful,
Nor proud, wicked and deceitful.