He stood gnawing his lip and regarding me with a brow as black as a thunder-cloud.
“I thank you for the lesson, M. l’Ambassadeur,” he said bitterly; “perhaps this gentleman here can be more obliging,” he added, turning scornfully to M. de Lambert.
I made a sign to him to beware of his reply, but his eyes were fixed haughtily on the czar’s face.
“Your Majesty forgets,” he replied proudly, “that I also am a subject of the King of France.”
“By all the saints,” the czar exclaimed passionately, “I wish the King of France had kept you there! Are you weak, that you lean so persistently against that door?” he added with fine sarcasm.
“Your Majesty desired that I should remain where I am,” M. de Lambert replied calmly, a little amusement showing in his eyes.
“I am gratified,” the czar said scornfully, “to find one Frenchman so little obstinate that he can comply with my request. M. le Vicomte,” he added sharply, turning to me, “if you will not produce Najine, I must even go and seek her.”
I started. I was not prepared for so extreme a measure, and if he searched the house, he would undoubtedly find her, unless Zénaïde had smuggled her out, which was improbable. I glanced quickly at M. de Lambert, and read consternation in his eyes. But there was no remedy even in delay; still I made one last attempt to save the situation.
“It is an extreme measure, your Majesty,” I said with forced composure; “you have called me an ambassador—it is unusual to search the house of an ambassador.”
He uttered an exclamation of impatience. “Ambassador or not, I shall do as I please,” he said haughtily. “I am weary of this banter of idle words. You and your friend here will precede me, monsieur.”