"Can it be that that brings him?" she asked, tremblingly.
"Not a doubt of it. Look well to your women, for he brings an arch spy with him. Handsome and dangerous with the sex."
Just then the sound of carriage-wheels was audible in the courtyard below, amid much noise and the harsh tones of a man's voice.
"Make haste away! The Grand Duke is coming!" the pale lady whispered to Krizsanowski.
He, rising, took her hand in his.
Again the duenna appeared, this time rushing in, and saying, breathlessly:
"The Grand Duke is back from the manœuvres. Just as they drove in at the gate one of the horses stumbled, the outrider was thrown, and the Grand Duke's pipe was so jolted that it broke one of his front teeth. He is wild with rage."
"Alas!" exclaimed the lady, and was hastening out. Krizsanowski held her back.
"You would do well just now to keep out of his way."
"On the contrary, it is just now that I must hurry to him," she answered, freeing herself from Krizsanowski's hold. "But you hasten away from here, that no one sees you."