“Go out to meet them, M. de Lambert,” I said at once, “and say nothing of this. I will send Apraxin back to Mentchikof in the carriage with Pierrot and Touchet; there is no other way of evading unpleasant consequences. Happily, your chastisement was so thorough that he is not likely to want another.”
There was no need for more words, for M. de Lambert went out to meet Najine, and Pierrot helped me to raise Apraxin. As soon as we heard madame and mademoiselle pass on up the stairs, we called Touchet, and we three managed to place the half-conscious youth in the carriage, and I despatched them to Mentchikof with strict injunctions to convey the prisoner into the house in a secret manner and explain the matter to Mentchikof alone and so relieve me of the embarrassment of this troublesome boy. I could trust their devotion, and watched the carriage roll away in the darkness with a sigh of relief.
I was out of one difficulty, but there was another in the upper room, and a far more delicate one, since there was a woman in it, and that woman young, beautiful, spirited, and ill to guide; was ever man in more perplexing situation? I looked up at the skies, which were clouded, and I sighed; truly, the annoyances of life are many. I entered the house and, barring the door, walked slowly and thoughtfully up the stairs. It rested with me to get M. de Lambert away; to rescue mademoiselle’s happiness; to outwit Zotof; and, last not least, to defeat, disappoint, and baffle the czar! What were my weapons? Najine’s love for Guillaume de Lambert, his devoted courage, my own wit, and Mentchikof’s signet ring.
CHAPTER XXV.
NAJINE AND HER LOVER.
On reaching the head of the stairs, I opened the door upon a pretty picture. Madame de Brousson had discreetly left the lovers alone, and they were standing together before the fire, M. de Lambert’s arm around Najine, and the firelight shining on their faces. They started at my unexpected entrance, and her cheeks were rosy with blushes as she saw the smile in my eyes; but she came up to me, and clasped my hand in both hers.
“I have to thank you, monsieur,” she said, “for all you have done for me and for M. de Lambert.”
I laughed softly. “Nay, mademoiselle,” I replied gently, “M. de Lambert owes more to you than to any one, and I trust that he has properly thanked you.”
She laughed a little at this, and glanced mischievously at her lover. “I believe he is grateful, monsieur,” she said archly.
“Jesting aside, mademoiselle,” I went on gravely, “we have no time to lose; M. de Lambert must leave Moscow to-night.”
She started and glanced sadly at her lover, and he looked back at her with eager interrogation.