“Your reason—I know it well—for remaining is the very reason that induces me to remove you.”
A smile of triumph appeared on her lips.
“I fear that you misapprehend the situation. Nay, I am sure you do. When you hear all I have to say you will change your mind.”
“Nothing that you can say will induce me to change my mind. You will set out first; I will follow later. Lord Courtenay will perhaps accompany us: at least, I will do my best to persuade him. It will not be safe for him to remain any longer in Russia.”
“Why, what new piece of mischief has that knight-errant been doing?”
“This morning at eight o’clock he commits the most daring deed of his life.”
Pauline elevated her pretty eyebrows in surprise.
“A daring deed! He did not tell me of it to-night. You are more in his confidence than I am. You have a story to tell, is it not so? Eh, bien, tell it me. See, I am listening. I am, as the English say, all ears.”
“Had you returned two minutes earlier you would have met Lord Courtenay.”
“What! has he been here?”