Pierrot made a sign in the affirmative.
“Alone?” I inquired again.
Pierrot dropped from his place and came to me softly.
“He has but one attendant,” he whispered; “and they advance with caution.”
I made a sign to him to be still, and we stood watching and listening. Mademoiselle at the first whistle had come from her shelter, and walked along the lane, followed by her woman, until she reached the postern; there she halted, so that we could both see them and hear the conversation which ensued. Seeing only the two women, Apraxin was relieved of his anxiety, and advanced boldly to meet her, leaving his man a little in the rear. At his approach, Najine slightly raised her veil, meeting him with some embarrassment, which was really due to her hatred of the part that she was compelled to play.
“I thank you for coming so promptly,” she said quietly. “I scarcely hoped that you would receive my missive.”
“You have given us much anxiety and trouble, Najine,” he exclaimed sharply, with a note of authority in his tone; “how is it that you fly to the house of that Frenchman Brousson, and reappear at that of Mentchikof? It is time that you rendered an account of your conduct.”
Mademoiselle gave him a haughty glance. “I did not come here to account to you, Yury Ivanovitch,” she replied coldly, “nor do I think you have any right to reproach me; that belongs to my uncle.”
“Come, come, Najine,” he said easily, “do not pick a quarrel with me. I have come to take you to your uncle, and I doubt not that he will be so overjoyed at your return that he will require no account from you; therefore let us lose no time.”
He made a movement to take her hand to lead her away, but she repelled him with a petulant gesture.