“In that case I must proceed alone.”
“That shall not be. It shall never be said that a seigneur of old France was lacking in chivalry. Permit me to have the honour.”
“The honour is mine; but will you not be compromising your own character as ambassador?”
“Hasn’t Pauline told you what has happened? No? France has at the present moment no representative in St. Petersburg. Two weeks ago I forwarded my resignation to the Consulate. It was accepted, and my successor will arrive within a few days. My resignation,” he continued in answer to Wilfrid’s look of inquiry, “has no connection with politics. It has been made on purely personal grounds. I desire Pauline to leave Russia, and I see no other way of accomplishing my end than by leaving it myself.”
While speaking he glanced keenly at Wilfrid, as if to mark the effect of his words, and seemed to derive satisfaction from Wilfrid’s blank look; for, the Princess excepted, there was no one in St. Petersburg whom Wilfrid liked better than Pauline, and therefore he heard the news with deep regret.
“Your offer to be my second is extremely generous, but you will do well to refrain till you shall have heard the name of my adversary.”
“A seigneur of France knows not fear. I am your second whoever be your adversary. A high political personage? Humph! One of the Czar’s ministers, I suppose?”
“Higher than a minister.”
“Ciel! Surely not a Grand Duke?”
“Higher than a Grand Duke.”