There was a veiled threat in his words and look, and I rose from my chair.
“You are young, M. Shein,” I said haughtily, “therefore I will treat you with forbearance; but you forget that you address a marshal of France.”
“And you forget also, M. l’Ambassadeur,” he replied, “that I am the messenger of his Majesty the Czar of all the Russias.”
“On the contrary, I remember, young sir,” I said curtly, “else I should scarcely have listened with such patience to your questions, which were at once fruitless and impertinent.”
The young fellow flushed deeply, and I was half sorry that his arrogance had merited such a rebuke, for I saw that he was burning for that revenge which he could not obtain from my years and my rank.
“You have the advantage of me, M. le Vicomte,” he said gravely; “you rejoice in personal impunity.”
“Pshaw!” I replied with more good-humor, “you should respect my years, M. Shein. Go upon your errand, and remember that young men must endure something before they learn the lessons of life.”
But my forbearance did not restore his good-humor, and he withdrew with a flushed and angry face, which, however, only amused me, for he was, after all, a harmless enough young man, and merely elated with the importance of his errand and the imperial confidence; for those close about the person of the czar felt for him an almost exaggerated reverence and affection.
After Shein left me, I sat for some time reflecting on the probabilities of M. de Lambert making good his escape; the chances were all in his favor. It was true that he had only a few hours’ advantage, for I knew that the Zotofs would lose no time, but I had taken pains to mislead them, and they would probably start upon the road to Versailles, while M. de Lambert and his bride were travelling rapidly to Poland, and he had the additional advantage of having his passports on his person. What had been intended as an insult would probably be an assistance: such are the happy accidents of fate. I had arranged that a message should be sent to me at the first stop for a change of horses, and while I was thinking of the matter, Pierrot brought me word that the men had arrived with a message from M. de Lambert. They had reached the first post in safety and without pursuit; so far all was well. The messenger had seen them start out with fresh horses before leaving to bring the tidings; they had therefore the advantage of several hours, and would probably outstrip all pursuit. These were good tidings, and I felt that I had cause to rejoice, but knew that I should presently have a second message from the czar which might be of quite another character. In the mean time I received word from Mentchikof that he desired to see me, and, knowing that this might mean a fresh complication, I lost no time in obeying, rather glad of the opportunity to be rid of his signet ring, which having served its turn was becoming a burden to me. It was a bad day when I went out, and, the wind striking my face, I lowered my head and hurried on unattended. The streets were slippery, and more than once I nearly lost my footing, but, at last reaching Mentchikof’s palace, I was glad to find the warmth and glow of the fire in the great hall. Leaving my cloak below, I went up the stairs and was at once admitted to the presence of the favorite.