CHAPTER XVIII.
IVAN.
So much had happened that Nicol Patoff was scarcely more than a pleasant memory, and now, as I thought of him, it was not exactly as I had done years before. He had gone out of my life, and another had taken his place, and my cheeks burned with both regret and shame, that I could not feel happier to hear news of him. But any delight I might have felt was swallowed up by what happened as M. Seguin left the room.
Alex had finished her hearth, and, with a politeness I had often noticed in her, opened the door for him, and bowed him out, bending very low, and straightening so quickly that her crooked back began to move down toward her waist, leaving a flat surface where the ridge had been.
She knew it as soon as I did, and put up her hands to readjust herself, but she was too late, and she stood staring at me, while I sat for a moment unable to speak or move.
Everything connected with Alex flashed like a revelation into my mind, and, when I could articulate, I whispered: “Ivan!”
“Yes,” he said, removing his spectacles, and showing me Sophie’s eyes, which I remembered so well. “Ivan, in another guise, which has worked well, and I must continue to assume the character of Alex till I get away to America, as I mean to.”
“How?” I asked; and he replied: “Through you. I was almost in despair when you came, and so tired of these petticoats and the wadding on my back, to make me look bent and old, and the gray wig, and Mrs. Browne’s praise of me as a faithful servant. I have been faithful to her, and shall be till I get away. I am going with you, as your serving woman, I mean. You will get me across the frontier; after that it will be easy.”
I listened, with my heart thumping so loud that I could hear it, and with my whole strength recoiling from the task assigned.
“How did you escape from Siberia?” I asked, feeling I must say something.
“Oh, easy,” he answered. “Sometimes I was one thing, sometimes another, but mostly a woman. I succeed best in that guise, and, as old Alex, I am safe. I must go now to my room and fix my back. I will see you again, and arrange. I heard you say you were to leave in a week.”