“This favourite of the Czar was so gracious as to bestow a kiss upon Lord Courtenay, and, unfortunately for her, the Czar himself witnessed the act.”
Pauline laughed softly.
“The very result desired by me,” she said.
“You are pleased. Yes, I can quite comprehend your motive in wishing that this lady should forfeit the Czar’s regard. You will not find the sequel so pleasing. The Czar and Lord Courtenay came to words.”
“Over the lady! Strange, when matters were taking a course acceptable to all three! And I suppose that Lord Courtenay, so bold before Paul, was equally bold with Paul’s son?”
“He did not know at the time that he was speaking to Paul’s son, since Alexander would neither remove his mask nor disclose his identity. But Lord Courtenay has learned his name since.”
“And what was the end of the affair?”
“The end comes this morning at eight, when the Czar and Lord Courtenay cross swords!”
In a moment Pauline’s airy manner was gone. She rose from her seat, trembling in every limb, but sank down again apparently powerless.
“A duel!” she gasped.