“The fox is no match for the lion, your Majesty,” I admitted calmly, “but neither is the lion a match for the turtle-dove.”
He had gone out in the dark, but turned, and, coming close to me at the door, spoke so low that none could hear.
“M. de Brousson,” he said sternly, “I have yielded to-night from courtesy to madame, but if that young man yonder takes one step to make Najine his wife without my sanction, it will cost him his head, were there forty kings of France instead of one!”
CHAPTER XVI.
A DUEL WITH TONGUES.
With the czar’s threat ringing ominously in my ears, I ascended the stairs and, asking M. de Lambert to remain in the salon, went on to Madame de Brousson’s door to inquire for Najine. At the sound of my voice they both came out into the ante-room, mademoiselle’s face still pale with excitement. She ran up to me with the pretty manner of a child, and, taking my hand, kissed it with impulsive gratitude.
“M. l’Ambassadeur,” she said, “I feel as if I ought to go down on my knees to you and Madame de Brousson, for rescuing me from this situation; I do not know how I could have faced the czar in this house.”
“Mademoiselle,” I replied gravely, “it was our happiness to shield you, but I fear that we can do little more at this time. I wished to talk to you without restraint, therefore I came alone. The czar has spoken freely to me, and I believe that it is impossible for you to escape to France at present; you are too closely watched. It is equally impossible for me to protect you here; therefore, mademoiselle, there is but one course open: you must go with all speed to your good aunt at Troïtsa.”
“We had ourselves reached that conclusion,” Zénaïde said, “and Najine and I were perfecting our arrangements to leave here in the morning.”
“That will not do,” I replied at once; “you must go within the hour.”
Mademoiselle glanced up with surprise, and Zénaïde uttered a protest.