The Duchess seemed to resent this disparagement of Alexander.
“Consider his position,” she answered. “Is he to begin his reign by degrading the men who have put him on the throne? They who slew one Czar may slay another.”
“And can a man die better than in the attempt to avenge his father’s murder? If fear of the assassin’s dagger keeps Alexander from doing an act of justice then have the Russians a Czar, but scarcely a hero.”
“You are bold, sir, in the absence of Alexander.”
“Nay, I would say the same in his presence.”
And the Duchess did not doubt it when she remembered how Wilfrid had faced the fiery Paul—nay, had half-drawn his sword upon him.
Wilfrid ventured at this point to remind the Duchess of an earlier remark of hers.
“You said, I think, that the Empress had a work for me to do?”
“True. The Empress, well knowing your character, appeals to you to do what the boldest in St. Petersburg would shrink from doing, namely, to make known to the world the truth respecting Paul’s death.”
“I am indeed honoured, but in doing her will I shall be trenching on the Czar’s ground. It is his duty, not mine.”