"Why, during the past twelve months, have you insulted me with vows of love, with offers of marriage?"
"Insulted? Why that word?" said the duke, striving to conceal his alarm under an assumption of dignity.
"Because while simulating affection for me you were secretly intriguing with my enemies."
"You have been listening to the aspersions of Zabern."
"I have been listening to the words of Lipski. Ah! you start, my lord, and well you may. You are not yet aware—for the affair was carried out very quietly—that a raid was made this afternoon upon Lipski's premises. His cellars were found to contain a vast store of arms. In the house, too, was a number of Russian agents, among them the spy, Ivan Russakoff. Lipski has made full confession."
"Of what?" muttered the duke, looking thunderstruck at the princess's statement.
"Of many things. Here is one. About a twelve-month ago there was established a new journal entitled the 'Kolokol,' mainly devoted to the libelling of myself and to the stirring-up of civil strife. Before the founding of that newspaper the Muscovites of Russograd were as loyal and law-abiding as the Poles themselves; under the influence of the 'Kolokol,' however, they have become restless, disorderly, inclined to sedition. Was that well done, John Lilieski?"
"What has this to do with me?"
"Much, for though Lipski might be editor, yet he who actually owned the paper, financed it, and secretly controlled its policy was none other than the Duke of Bora."
"A fable of Lipski's, invented to please the princess's ministers."