Pierrot was waiting for me in the lower hall, and followed as I went out. My mind was much preoccupied by the scene that I had just witnessed. I had the key to the situation, but it was none the less a difficult one. At present no danger threatened Mademoiselle Zotof. I had no doubt that Mentchikof and his party would use every fair means before they resorted to foul; but I saw also that they were determined to accomplish their purpose, and could only anticipate trouble for the young girl whose beauty was an undoubted obstacle to their success. Peter’s speech to me in regard to M. de Lambert was sufficient to carry conviction as to his own feeling, and I was not sure that Catherine Shavronsky’s charms could equal mademoiselle’s in his eyes. Meanwhile, M. de Lambert was in the unenviable position of a rival of the czar, and I was most anxious about the hot-headed young man. So absorbed was I in my own reflections that I walked on unseeing, and found myself in the Kremlin close to the Cathedral of the Assumption, before I was aware of it. My attention was immediately attracted by two closely veiled women who were just leaving the cathedral. There seemed to be something familiar in their aspect, and I was observing them with interest, when Pierrot approached.
“That is Mademoiselle Zotof, M. le Vicomte,” he said quietly. “I know her woman Neonila, and that is she in the rear.”
I saw my opportunity, and thought of M. de Lambert’s anxiety. In a moment I crossed over and addressed the more slender of the two figures.
“Mademoiselle Zotof,” I said quietly, “I am fortunate!”
She stopped, startled and confused, and stood a moment irresolute and then walked on at my side, her woman falling behind.
“M. le Maréchal,” she said softly, “I—I did not think to meet you.”
“I trust, mademoiselle,” I said gravely, “that you do not desire to avoid me.”
“Oh, no—no!” she exclaimed earnestly. “I am happy in seeing a friend, for lately I have seen but few.”
“That is not their fault, mademoiselle,” I replied. “I know of at least one who has been most unhappy since he has been denied your presence. His sun is obscured.”
I was watching her narrowly, and saw her nervous hands and her whole air of confusion.