“But the end has not quite come,” said Princess Sumaroff with a peculiar smile. “You must put the finishing touch to this reconciliation by making it impossible for Alexander’s thoughts ever to wander again towards the Baroness Runö.”
“And how can I do that?”
The Princess laughed sweetly.
“By making her Countess Courtenay, of course!”
Wilfrid started. Such an idea had never before occurred to him. How could it, with his mind full of Marie? But now that love had become part of his nature, who more capable of satisfying that sentiment than Pauline, in whom he had always taken an interest bordering on affection? Her recent course of deception, censurable as it was, had done little to diminish his regard for her, seeing that she had not sought her own aggrandisement, but the supposed welfare of France.
Princess Sumaroff drew forth a gold ring, set with amethysts, and gave it to Wilfrid.
“Yours. I took it last night from the Czarina’s finger while she slept. She might have been asking awkward questions about it, and it will be better for her to remain in ignorance. Now, why not bestow this ring upon the Baroness? She loves you,—not that she has ever said so—at least to me. I judge by the warmth with which she speaks of your bravery, your honour, your good looks, your accomplishments, your heaven-knows what. It is my firm belief that you are the cause of her refusing an empress’s crown when it was within her grasp. Don’t let her make the sacrifice in vain. The Baroness is walking in the gardens at this moment, miserable because she thinks she has lost your good opinion. Seek her, and on your return let us have the pleasure of greeting her as the future Countess Courtenay.”
Wilfrid, his heart beating with pleasurable sensations, walked out into those gardens which four weeks before had been the scene of so much mystery and romance.
He found Pauline alone, walking on the terrace that overlooked the river. Her face, sad and pensive, brightened at his approach; and still more when she learned the result of his final interview with the Czarina.
“That is good,” she murmured.