"Then there is no danger of your falling in love with him?"
"None, whatever. I am old enough to be his mother."
"But his beauty—his charms?"
"They do not compare with those of my dear husband," replied Louise, as she twined her arms about Dimitri's neck, with all the coquetry of twenty-seven years ago.
There was no reason to doubt Louise's sincerity, and the General felt a little ashamed of his unfounded suspicions.
"Have you heard from the Minister since our departure from St. Petersburg?" asked Louise.
"Yes; he has written several times. He cannot sufficiently praise the keen intellect of our young priest."
"He is the very man you want. Have him come to Kief at once. You need an assistant and Mikail is bound to you by ties of gratitude and affection."
The General looked sharply at his wife. He still felt doubtful as to her feeling for Mikail. But Louise rocked away, unconscious of her husband's penetrating glance.
"Perhaps it will be best to have him come," he reflected. "Yes, it must be so. After having had him educated, after having given him the opportunity of becoming what he now is, it would be folly not to employ him to my own advantage. I shall write for him to-morrow."