“And she says that she will kill herself rather than marry a man whom she does not love!” put in mademoiselle, tearfully.
My eyes sought Zénaïde’s, and hers fell, the color sweeping up to her fair hair. In a moment I felt that the room was transformed, and no longer considered either the difficulty or the peril of the situation; I was moved out of myself. We were both so silent that mademoiselle stood looking from one to the other, with a growing terror on her thin features; and it seemed to me that those ecstatic little curls of hers danced in sympathy with her affrighted heart-beats.
“What can we do?” she exclaimed tremulously.
“If Mademoiselle Ramodanofsky is willing to be guided by my counsel, I think I can suggest a way to evade this trouble,” I said, with a little hesitation, trying quickly to decide on the wiser of two courses.
Zénaïde, having recovered her composure, turned to me with something of her natural manner.
“I am in too great straits to refuse any one’s advice, monsieur,” she said gently; “my uncle is an inflexible man, and I can expect no mercy at his hands—and surely none from Naryshkin,” she added with a gesture of contempt.
“Tell us what to do!” cried mademoiselle, hysterically, before I could reply; the poor soul was beside herself with terror.
“There are two courses open to you, Mademoiselle Ramodanofsky,” I said at once; “and in both cases you must accept my escort from this house to-night.”
I saw Zénaïde’s start and her questioning glance at mademoiselle, who was incapable of advising or guiding any one then, and who looked to me with implicit confidence.
“I have reason to think, mademoiselle,” I continued, addressing Zénaïde, “that the Czarevna Sophia could, and would, protect you against your uncle’s violence. There is also another way of securing your liberty, but that would take a longer time to accomplish”—I was thinking of a full exposure of Vladimir’s villainy. “One course would be to permit me to conduct you and Mademoiselle Eudoxie directly to the Kremlin, and to rely on the czarevna’s ability to defend you. The other course, which seems easier and safer as a first move, is to go secretly to Dr. von Gaden’s house. His wife will receive you, and I am sure that the doctor can and will conceal your presence there for a few days, until we find means to evade your uncle’s determination.”