"Very well."
In a short time Nilo presented himself in Byzantine dress, with exception of a bright blue handkerchief on his head.
"Now, I pray you, Prince, give me a room. I wish to talk with the man privately."
The request was granted, the instructions given, and Sergius reappeared to take leave.
"Nilo and I are good friends, Prince. He understands me."
"He may be too eager. Remember I found him a savage."
With these words, the Prince and the young Russian parted.
After this nobody came to the house. The excitement had been a flash. Now it seemed entirely dead, and dead without a clew. When Time goes afoot his feet are of lead; and in this instance his walk was over the Prince's heart. By noon he was dreadfully wrought up.
"Let them look to it, let them look to it!" he kept repeating, sometimes shaking a clinched hand. Occasionally the idea to which he thus darkly referred had power to bring him to a halt. "I have an adversary. Who is he?" Ere long the question possessed him entirely. It was then as if he despaired of recovering Lael, and had but one earthly object—vengeance. "Ah, my God, my God! Am I to lose her, and never know my enemy? Action, action, or I will go mad!" Uel came with his usual report: "Alas! I have nothing." The Prince scarcely heard or saw him. "There are but two places where this enemy can harbor," he was repeating to himself—"but two; the palace and"—he brought his hands together vehemently—"the church. Where else are they who have power to arrest a whole people in earnest movement? Whom else have I offended? Ay, there it is! I preached God; therefore the child must perish. So much for Christian pity!"
All the forces in his nature became active.