“M. de Lambert,” I replied gravely, “I understand your feeling, and you have my sympathy in your indignation for mademoiselle, but I am truly giving her the best aid in my power. If she stays here until morning, I should be compelled to surrender her to her uncle; the demand is inevitable, and may come at any hour. Moreover, I think it has cost mademoiselle something to take this decided step; she is not without regret and hesitation at the thought of acting directly in opposition to her guardians, and it is possible that, under their persuasion, she might yet surrender her will to theirs, which would be fatal to your interests. It is no light thing for a young girl, reared as she has been, to evade her uncle’s authority and contemplate a stolen marriage. If you hope to succeed in your suit, you must speedily get her out of the reach of Zotof and his wife.”
He listened to me thoughtfully, and I saw that he realized the truth of my words. He stood with folded arms, his eyes bent on the fire and his brows furrowed with anxiety. He was probably thinking of a dozen ways to evade the czar, and in the end finding himself, each time, in a cul-de-sac. I heard Pierrot’s step on the stair, and knew that all things were in readiness.
“M. de Lambert,” I said gravely, “when this errand is over, we must seriously consider your own situation. The czar has virtually demanded your return to France, and I have no doubt that the passports will be forthcoming; in which case there will be an accumulation of difficulties.”
He looked at me calmly. “I shall remain here, monsieur,” he said at once, “as long as mademoiselle remains.”
I smiled in spite of myself. “Even if she becomes the Czarina of Russia?” I asked naïvely.
At this moment Pierrot announced that all preparations for departure had been made, and so checked the angry retort that was on M. de Lambert’s lips, for he always lost his temper at the suggestion that mademoiselle would ultimately wed the czar. As Pierrot came, Madame de Brousson entered by the other door with Najine and her woman, and I had my last instructions to give, so that we had no further words over mademoiselle’s future. Indeed I was anxious to hurry them off, knowing that the reprieve would be short. Najine herself was nervous and impatient, although she clung affectionately to my wife and, I thought, would have been happy to stay with her. Zénaïde petted and soothed her, after the fashion of women, until I felt it necessary to hasten them.
“Pardon my seeming discourtesy, mademoiselle,” I said, “but haste is imperative. Pierrot, is everything in readiness?”
“At your service, M. le Vicomte,” he replied promptly.
Zénaïde herself adjusted mademoiselle’s mantle and hood, and M. de Lambert, having placed his pistols in his belt, assumed his cloak, and they were ready to follow Pierrot down to the rear door. Najine came to me with outstretched hands, her charming face just peeping out of the great gray fur-lined hood, which was peaked at the top and, framing her face, met under her small firm chin.
“I thank you from my heart, monsieur,” she said softly. “May the saints reward you for your kindness.”