Wilfrid walked forward and, opening the door just wide enough to ascertain who the new-comer was, beheld Beauvais standing without.
“The very man we want,” he said, pulling the surprised doctor within and locking the door. “The Czar requires your aid.”
Beauvais, being a wise man, spent no time in asking irrelevant questions. Hurrying forward he knelt down, and examined the body of the fallen emperor.
“An apoplectic stroke. Takes after his father Paul,” said Beauvais, as he loosened the Czar’s military collar and bade Wilfrid bring him a carafe of water.
“Is it serious?” asked Pauline.
“I think not, but one never knows.”
“How long will it be before consciousness returns?” she continued.
“I cannot say. He may recover in an hour; in two hours; five; perhaps more. It is impossible to tell. Let me have help, Baroness.”
With Wilfrid’s aid Beauvais laid the Czar upon the ottoman, while Pauline summoned two maids to assist the doctor’s ministrations.
This done she gently drew Wilfrid and the Empress to a small anteroom and, with downcast eyes and humble air, knelt before the latter.