At this point she was reinforced; with a swift movement Catherine Shavronsky passed through the circle of spectators and knelt at the czar’s feet. He started, glancing from one woman to the other in amazement.
“What is this?” he exclaimed sharply; “I did not come here to hold a tribunal of justice.”
“But of mercy, little father,” Catherine said quietly. “I kneel here to second mademoiselle’s appeal. M. de Lambert is a stranger, he can claim our forbearance. It is your kindness that has abolished forced marriages, and made happier unions a possibility. Your Majesty has always been good to the young. Here, then, are two lovers, separated by misfortune—is it not a royal prerogative to give them happiness? I also ask a boon: the life—liberty—happiness of a French soldier of the czar of all the Russias—of Peter the magnanimous!”
She had touched upon a delicate point, but the czar controlled his emotion. He stood looking at the two women as if he were mentally contrasting them, and the whole court looked also and marvelled, for they were singularly beautiful and singularly unlike. Catherine’s beauty was of the feline type, and coarser but more striking than Najine’s; hers was refined and charming and spirited, and her face was clouded with anxiety, while Catherine’s was kindled with excitement. Mademoiselle stood, while the Livonian continued to kneel until the czar took her hand and raised her to her feet, and then, turning to the other petitioner, spoke with affected carelessness.
“Your request is granted, Najine,” he said; “I cannot resist so much eloquence. Mentchikof, let the captain of the guard release M. de Lambert at once and deliver him to M. de Brousson.”
Najine took a step forward, and, kneeling, kissed the czar’s hand; and the blood left his cheek, and his face was as white as her own.
CHAPTER XXIV.
A DUEL WITH SWORDS.
Mentchikof lost no time in executing the czar’s order, and signaled to me to follow him as he left the salon. I made my way out as rapidly and quietly as I could, and reached the ante-room in time to find him transmitting the order to one of the guard.
“M. de Brousson will accompany you,” he said to the officer as I entered; and then, calling me aside, he added: “Make what haste you can, the czar’s mood may change. He yielded because of the peculiarity of his position, and Najine Zotof’s appeal before so many touched his pride, but he may repent his order at any moment. Get the young man out of the country, and also the young woman.”
“I see the wisdom of your advice, monsieur,” I replied; “but the last is not so easy.”