“We cannot enter here,” he said, his sword-arm dropping limply to his side; and then, realising the consequences of Wilfrid’s escape, he muttered, “Holy St. Nicholas! I shall lose my head for this.”
While Voronetz stood there, irresolute and despairing, Wilfrid, having passed the double doors of the mansion, found himself in a stately entrance-hall with a gilt gallery supported on marble pillars. The tapestries and mirrors, the statues and pictures, rivalled the splendour of Versailles.
Four lackeys in gold-laced liveries, stationed at different points, gave an additional touch of grandeur to the scene. Two well-dressed gentlemen, conjectured by Wilfrid to be secretaries, passing through the hall at this moment, glanced curiously in his direction.
The lady who had rescued Wilfrid was about twenty-five years of age, with dark hair and dark eyes. Wilfrid, who, it must not be forgotten, was an artist, contemplated her tall and graceful person with secret pleasure. He had seen only one face more beautiful; and it was quite possible that if his princess and this stranger were to stand side by side, an impartial judge might have awarded the palm for beauty to the latter.
She laughed with all the gaiety of a schoolgirl at the feat she had just performed.
“I was a witness of your arrest,” she said, “and hurried on before you. I knew your guards would take the Nevski Prospekt, because it is the direct route to the Citadel; and I knew, too, they would take this side of the Prospekt, as being the sunnier. So I stationed François at the foot of the steps with orders to snatch you from their hands. And we have succeeded. You are safe here. The Czar and all his armies dare not enter.”
“What place is this, then?”
“Monsieur le vicomte,” she said, with a graceful little curtsey, “welcome to the French Embassy.”
Wilfrid’s face clouded at these words.
“I thank you, mademoiselle,” said he, folding his cloak around him, and taking a step towards the entrance, “but I must wish you adieu. An enemy to France, I cannot in honour accept this asylum.”