The baron asked in a low voice:--
"Who is this person?"
"A Russian," replied Jacob.
Von Kreig, taking Gromof for a prominent official of the imperial court, was going to ask for an introduction, when Jacob whispered in his ear:--
"An outlaw."
The baron drew back and, as he was a strict conservative, thought:--
"What kind of company have we fallen in with, anyway?" Then he said to Jacob:--
"Madame and yourself are travelling for pleasure, are you not?"
"We are obliged to leave Poland," replied Jacob. "I joined the revolutionists, was wounded and was taken to Austria, whence orders came for me to leave the country. My wife and I seek a retreat where we may dwell peacefully. It is not so easy to find. Nowhere in Europe, except in Switzerland or England, is there much security for exiles. In Saxony they are given leave to remain only temporarily. In Bavaria they are not given leave to remain at all. In France an arbitrary expulsion, authorized by the law, always like the sword of Damocles, is suspended over their heads; and in Belgium they are also unwelcome."
"But I think, monsieur, that you can better your position. The Russian government is magnanimous; it has proclaimed a general amnesty."