“Elizavetta?” asked Wilfrid, naming the youthful wife of Alexander.
“No, Paul’s widow. The Dowager Empress, I should have said. She was desirous of seeing you in person, but circumstances preventing her, I act as her ambassadress.”
Wilfrid breathed a silent benison on the head of the ex-Czarina for her choice of ambassadress.
“And what is the will of the Empress with me?”
“To do a work that—but your question will best be answered in that room,” replied the Duchess, pointing to the door of the mysterious chamber. “Countess, bring the light.”
CHAPTER XV
HOW PAUL DIED
The lady addressed as countess came forward with the lamp, and the little party moved towards the ante-chamber—for such it was—Wilfrid himself opening the door.
The Duchess, as if claiming precedence, was the first to enter, and Wilfrid noticed that as she passed the threshold she looked downwards, seemingly careful as to where she stepped.
Wilfrid followed. The Countess and Alexis stood by the door, and as before, beyond earshot.