"O no! my dear young lady, you are doing splendidly. Just carry out my written instructions and you will do as well without me as you would with me."
"Dr. Jones, I appreciate your situation, and know that you have no right to remain here for my sake, or anyone's else. I will not try to persuade you to stay; but I know that when you have gone, Hope will have accompanied you, and I shall certainly die."
"My God! My God! Dr. Jones, I cannot endure this," groaned the Count, and great tears coursed down his cheeks.
"Let me talk with you a few moments privately," said the Doctor.
The Count led the way to his office, and when they were seated the Doctor began:
"Count Icanovich, I cannot leave you, and yet you see my situation. Professor Gray will not consent to an hour's unnecessary delay, and will hold me in strictest account to my Government."
"Cannot he be brought to consent to remain a few weeks?" asked the Count anxiously.
"Not all the gold in Russia would tempt him one moment," declared the Doctor emphatically.
"But you must not go and take my darling's life with you!" cried the Count desperately.
"Say 'shall not,' and you will hit it exactly," replied the little Doctor, winking shrewdly at the Count.