"Who could have thought," said Paul, after complimenting Barbara upon the admirable manner in which she had out-manœuvred the Russian envoy, "who could have thought when we first met in that Dalmatian forest that a great empire would one day demand my extradition, and that you would bravely refuse to grant it!"
"And I will not surrender you, Paul. No, not if it should cost me my throne."
How sweet it was to hear such words from this fair princess! She who was a match for the Czar's envoy to set such store by him! This maiden pressing tenderly to his side scarcely seemed to be the same person who that morning had filled a throne with such dignity. Nor was she. Love had entirely transfigured her.
"Paul," she said quietly, "I have told the duke that I cannot marry him."
"How did he take the tidings?"
"He said little, but his face expressed much—"
"Much—?"
"Hatred, then, if you will have the word. Excluded from the cabinet, and from the command of the army, he is not likely to sit down quietly under such dishonoring. And," she added with a sigh, "he is a political force to be reckoned with."
"Sweet princess, give me leave to resume the duel with him, and you shall soon be rid of one whom you seem to fear."
"No, Paul, no," she said, laying her hand affectionately upon his; "promise me that you will not fight with him again."