“I also am sorry, madame. Do you perceive what you have done? For the gratification of a moment’s malice you have wrecked this great scheme—deliberately thrown away the results of the labour of years. Could you not have been satisfied with sending this priceless paper to Princess Theophanis? Then we might have procured its return by threatening to reveal everything to her husband. But no, you must send it direct to that most impracticable of men, of whom one can only say that he will take the course the least in accordance with prudence and calculation—an honest, single-minded fool! He will probably make it public forthwith.”
“No,” said the Princess, with an inspiration born of dismay, “he will keep it secret—to shield her. Go quickly and play upon his feelings. You will promise secrecy if he will. Otherwise you will make public the conduct of his wife.”
“I will try,” said Prince Soudaroff, a hint of hope in his tones. “But remember, madame, you have failed—grievously. You know the penalty.”
“You will disown me to save yourselves? Oh, quite so! But I have been disowned before this, Prince, and you have been glad to ask for my help again.”
“I hardly think that Prince Kazimir is likely to ask for your help again, madame,” was the biting reply with which Prince Soudaroff took his leave. He chose a somewhat roundabout way to Maurice’s house, for he was anxious to think out the best means of dealing with the situation. The nettle must be grasped boldly, for the slightest sign of weakness would draw attention to the insecurity of his position. To his disgust, there was standing at the Theophanis door a highly ornate carriage and pair,—one of those which had taken part in the state procession round the city,—which from the cavasses and other attendants attached to it he knew to be that of the British Admiral. It was with the fervent hope that the presence of the distinguished visitor would have prevented Maurice from opening the Princess’s envelope that he asked for admittance, to find Wylie and Zoe entertaining the flag-lieutenant in the verandah.
Fate was against him, as he realised the moment he heard that Admiral Essiter was being received by Prince and Princess Theophanis in private. The Dardanian had followed Maurice home from the square, and caught him up just as he reached his own door. He opened the letter as he mounted the steps, and Zoe saw his face change.
“Oh, Maurice, what is it?” she cried. “Not the black-edged paper? Oh!” with a sudden thought, “you don’t say that Eirene gave the ten thousand pounds to the Princess?”
“What does it mean?” said Maurice, bewildered. “What do you mean? What black-edged paper?”
“Donna Olimpia told me just now that the Princess had a black-edged paper, signed by you, which Eirene had given her to save your life; and I knew you had signed nothing but the letter to Merceda. But it was such a small sum, comparatively——”
“This is worse. That could only have discredited the Princess. This discredits us—me.” He laid it before her, and Zoe, after reading it, rose superior to her natural jealousy in a way that showed she had learnt something since her engagement.