She paused a moment as though to be sure of her effect. And then in a whisper--
"I am a secret agent of the Provisional Government of Russia."
Rowland sat silent a second and then laid his hand over hers while his lips broke into a boyish smile.
"I knew it, Madame. I was sure of it," he whispered softly. "Our cause is the same. You and I together--what can we not do for Russia and for Freedom."
He was so ingenuous, so boyish, so handsome. His very youth refreshed her. She sighed and then laughed softly as she raised the back of her hand toward his lips.
"There," she murmured, "you may kiss my hand."
But Rowland only glanced at the hand and before Madame Rochal knew what he was about had caught her in his arms and kissed her full upon the lips.
"Monsieur!" she stammered and drew away from him hurriedly. Rowland followed her glance and turned to find Tanya Korasov standing before them. Rowland sprang to his feet and stood, his head bowed, looking indeed rather crestfallen.
"Mademoiselle----" he began.
But she cut him short with a gesture, speaking rapidly and he saw that she was very pale and suffering under some suppressed agitation.