The Shadow of the Czar

by John R. Carling

  CHAPTER XI

  THE ENVOY OF THE CZAR

  Next morning Paul by command attended in the White Saloon, where,under the sweet tuition of the princess herself, he was initiated intothe duties of his new office. Doubtless his affection for Barbaracaused him to infuse into his work an earnestness and an energy whichhe might not otherwise have felt; however, be that as it may, when inthe course of a few days Barbara avowed that he was an idealsecretary, she was uttering no empty compliment.

  Those who had ascribed Paul's appointment to love on the part of theprincess were somewhat perplexed on observing the demeanor of eachtowards the other, for, however tender and familiar their intercoursein private, they did not permit their affection to betray itself inpublic by look, word, or sign, Paul always evincing the modestdeference of an inferior, while Barbara maintained towards her newsecretary the authoritative dignity of a princess. The quick-wittedZabern was not to be deceived by this acting, but whatever he may havethought of the wisdom of the princess's choice, the prudent marshalkept his own counsel; for, strange as the statement might have soundedto the rest of the Czernovese ministry, Paul's sword, and his alone,would be absolutely indispensable to the security of the princess'scrown in a certain contingency of the future, as the marshal, who wasa far-seeing man, very well knew.

  As regards Cardinal Ravenna that ecclesiastic had smiled sourly tohimself on hearing of Paul's appointment to the secretaryship, but hedid not deem the time yet ripe to electrify Czernovese with theannouncement that their princess was not Natalie Lilieska. Indeed onthe third day after the interrupted duel Ravenna had received asummons from Rome to attend an important conclave there. The cardinalmuch preferred Slavowitz to the Vatican. Barbara's attitude ofdefiance towards himself, together with the friendship that had sosuddenly sprung up betwixt Zabern and Paul, gave him much uneasiness;but as it was not to his interest to disobey the command of Pio Nonothe cardinal had departed for Rome, and for a time Barbara wasrelieved from his menacing presence. But for a time only. He wouldreturn, and his return would be the beginning of trouble.

  So passed many days during which the Duke of Bora remained a prisonerin the Citadel, though Barbara's action in detaining him there withouttrial had been the subject of a very pertinent question in the Diet byLipski, the Muscovite deputy for Russograd, a question to which Zabernhad curtly answered that it was a matter which did not concern thehonorable deputy; whereupon the said honorable deputy made reply (andit took him two hours to say it) that inasmuch as the duke was amember of the Diet, it did concern both himself and every othermember; and that freedom had come to a pretty pass in Czernova whendeputies who gave offence could be arrested by the arbitrary will ofan irresponsible maiden, and could even find ministers to defend heraction. When Lipski had sat down amid the cheers of his Muscovitesupporters, Zabern deprived the tirade of most of its points byshowing that the duke had made a voluntary surrender of himself withfull knowledge that he would be detained during the princess'spleasure, and that if the duke on reflection had repented of the stephe had taken, it was quite open to him to appeal to the law ofCzernova, which was more powerful even than the will of the princess.

  But Bora declined this course, knowing that if he should be tried in alegal way his sentence would be an imprisonment of six months;therefore, though chafing daily and secretly vowing vengeance uponPaul, he deemed it more politic to await the pleasure of the princess.

  This debate in the Diet did not cause Barbara to release the duke oneday earlier than the time previously fixed by her, for the fair rulerof Czernova could be extremely self-willed when she chose, as thosewho had opposed her had often found to their cost.

  One morning as Paul entered the White Saloon to commence his usualduties, Barbara, with a glance at his face, said,--

  "The mark has disappeared from your cheek, Paul, and therefore it istime for the release of Bora, according to my word; unless," sheadded, deferentially, "unless you are opposed to it."

  Though lacking proof, Paul did not doubt that the duke was a traitor;and, moreover, he strongly suspected him of having instigated theassassination of Trevisa; otherwise it mattered little to Paul whetherBora was free man or prisoner.

  He offered, however, no opposition to the duke's release, feeling nota little flattered that the princess should have submitted such aquestion to himself.

  An order was accordingly despatched to the governor of the Citadel forthe liberation of the duke; and now Barbara braced her mind to meetthe fresh trouble that she felt to be in store for her. "For," shemurmured to herself with a sigh, "when Bora shall hear from my ownlips that he must abandon the idea of marrying me, he is certain tobecome my enemy." Here, however, Barbara erred in supposing thatantagonism from the duke would be a new thing, inasmuch as Bora couldhardly become a greater enemy in the future than he had been in thepast. That same evening Paul in the quietude of his own compartmentreceived a visit from Zabern, who looked somewhat more grave thanusual.

  "You were quite right in your opinion," he remarked, "that the bluelight flashed at the window by Michael the guardsman was a signal tosome distant watcher. The loss of our Charter has become known toothers. The plot is developing. Whom, think you, we shall have inSlavowitz on the third day from this? Feodor Orloff!"

  "Feodor Orloff!"

  "None but he. He comes in the sacred character of envoy of the Czar,desiring an audience of the Princess of Czernova. You can guess theobject of his coming?"

  "To demand a view of the Czernovese Charter!"

  "What but that?"

  "Marshal, we do wrong in continuing to conceal the truth from theprincess. She is of firm and courageous mind, and can bear to hear ofthe loss. If, after the envoy shall have formulated his demand, sheshould send for the Charter--what then?"

  "But she will not send for it. I have counselled her to resist that,and every other demand made by the envoy. The princess will assume anattitude of graceful refusal. Trust me, she will know how to evade hisdemands. When it is a matter of diplomatic finesse and word-fencing,she can leave her ministers far behind."

  Three days later at noon the Princess Natalie Lilieska--to employ herstate-name--prepared to give audience to Count Feodor Orloff, thegovernor-general of Warsaw, and envoy extraordinary of his ImperialMajesty the Czar, Nicholas the First.

  A few minutes previous to this interview a singular scene took placein a private apartment of the palace reserved for the use of Zabern.Just as the marshal was preparing to quit this sanctum to attend thereception of the envoy, the door opened, and Katina Ludovska appearedescorted by a file of troopers. The latter having saluted, withdrew,leaving Katina alone with the marshal.

  "So my spies have found you at last," he said, with an air of grimsatisfaction. "Where have you been hiding for the last two days?"

  "It is true, then, that I have been arrested by your orders?" shecried with an angry flash of her eyes.

  "Quite true. This apartment must be your abode for the next few days.See how pretty I have made it for you by introducing into it some ofthe princess's own furniture and hangings! True, the windows arebarred, but you will not mind such trifles."

  "Why am I here?"

  "For the saving of your life. Do you know, Katina, that if you shouldshoot Orloff, I, as Minister of Justice, would have to see that youwere hanged?"

  "So you have divined my purpose?" she said, with a bitter smile.

  "And must frustrate it. Come, Katina, be sensible. Would you violatethe common law of nations? In assassinating the Czar's ambassador youwould be playing the very devil with the public safety. Nicholas wouldhave good pretext, then, for annexing Czernova."

  "And you would rob me of my vengeance?" she said with a gesture ofdespair. "What other opportunity shall I ever have? Long ago would Ihave entered Russia to slay him, but that my face is known to all thepolice agents there. The moment I set foot over the frontier I shouldbe seized and sent again to Orenburg."

  "I sympathize with you, and probably if I were Katina I sho
uld betempted to do even as she would. But I am Zabern, you see, and theprincess's government is my first care. Were Orloff in neutralterritory you might shoot him without hindrance from me--and gladwould I be to hear of his death--but on Czernovese ground--no! Weshould have to respect the devil himself if he should come in thecharacter of ambassador."

  The distant fanfare of trumpets now rose and fell on the air, signalthat the envoy had arrived at the entrance of the palace.

  The sound seemed to madden Katina.

  "Is he come here in pomp, to be graciously received by the princess,to be feasted by her ministers, while I, his victim, scarred with theknout for refusing to become his plaything, am to remain still and donothing to avenge myself? Your state policy to the winds," she criedpassionately. "Stand aside. You shall not stay my hand."

  She made as if she would have escaped from the apartment, but Zabern,on the watch for this movement, intercepted her and placed his backagainst the door.

  "Nay, Katina, here you must remain till Orloff shall have quittedCzernova."

  She recognized the futility of resistance, and turning away with herface very white, and speaking very slowly, she said,--

  "Then if you prevent me from killing Orloff I will kill myself." Herwords startled Zabern from his cynical composure. For a moment hehesitated whether to leave her, for Katina looked as if she fullyintended to carry out her threat.

  "Be it so," he said, coldly. "The guilt will not be mine. Better thatmaid perish by her own hand than that the liberties of a whole peoplebe destroyed."

  With that saying the marshal withdrew and having locked the door uponKatina, he darkly wended his way to the audience chamber.

  With a view of rendering due honor to the imperial envoy it had beendecided by Barbara that the reception should be attended withconsiderable pomp.

  The Throne Hall was accordingly chosen as the place of interview--amagnificent apartment, its vaulted roof fretted with gold. Thefrescoes and pictures were adapted to appeal to the patriotism ofthose present, portraying, as they did, some of the noblest events inPolish history; among them the envoy might have seen more than oneRussian defeat by Polish arms.

  Ranged round the saloon, with back to the wall, were the finest andloftiest of the princess's uhlans. Clad in gleaming breastplates, andwith burnished lances erect, they seemed in their rigidity and silencemore like statues than men.

  Barbara occupied the throne, a slender gold diadem resting on her darkhair, a purple robe of state looped gracefully over her dainty whiteattire.

  On each side of the throne were her ministers, and the chief of hernobility. Patriots to a man, animated by a spirit of defiance toRussia, ardent for the restoration of Poland, they formed a chivalricband ready to die in defence of their fair princess.

  The scene was striking and poetical; and more than once Paul, who waspresent, received a secret glance from Barbara, as if she would faininvite him to contrast her present state with that of the forlornmaiden wandering in the Dalmatian forest; and truly, it was amarvellous and brilliant contrast.

  The emissary of the Czar was a man of giant stature clad in a gorgeousuniform. His countenance gave indications of a harsh and arrogantnature, nor did his countenance belie him; as a matter of fact he hadbeen purposely selected by the Russian ministry in order that hisobjectionable manners, combined with the catechetical character of hismission might provoke recriminatory language from the young and proudprincess, language that might afford Russia pretext for a quarrel withCzernova. Therefore Barbara, warned of this beforehand by Zabern, haddetermined that the envoy's speech, however provocative, should nottempt her to play the enemy's game.

  To Paul and Zabern he was an object of secret loathing, both as theknouter of Katina, and also as an accessory to, if not the actualauthor of, the plot which had resulted in the destruction of theCzernovese Charter. Hard necessity precluded them from denouncing thehypocrisy of the man who came to demand the production of what he hadhimself destroyed.

  "His grandfather did a noble deed," remarked Zabern in a whisper toPaul.

  "What did his grandfather do?"

  "He strangled a Czar," replied Zabern, grimly. "What?" he continued,noting Paul's look of surprise, "did you not know that we have herethe grandson of Gregory Orloff?"

  Unjust as it may be to be influenced by the ill-deeds of a man'sgrandsire, Paul nevertheless found his aversion to Orloff increasing,that such a creature should be appointed ambassador to stand in thepresence of the pure and sweet Barbara! Orloff had removed hisleathern gauntlets, and Paul could not avoid glancing from time totime at his large and knotted hands as if they were the same mightypalms that had squeezed out the breath from the windpipe of theunhappy Peter the Third.

  With an odd mixture of humility and pride, the envoy knelt before thethrone, and having presented his credentials to the princess, he roseagain to his full height, and began to speak in a loud voice, and witha sweeping glance that took in the whole assembly.

  "Nicholas Paulovitch, Autocrat of all the Russias"--Here the envoyproceeded to enumerate a variety of titles, among which there figured"King of Poland,"--a title which made the more ardent patriotswhisper, "For how long?"--"Nicholas Paulovitch, as Head of the HolyGreek Church throughout the world, is interested in learning whetherthe Princess of Czernova has seceded from that Church."

  Among Barbara's audience there was only one person who knew thatsecession was not a term to apply to her conduct. It was hard to beaccused of apostasy, but political necessity compelled her to submitto the imputation.

  "Though denying the right of the Czar to catechize the ruler ofCzernova on such a matter I will, nevertheless, give answer,"responded Barbara quietly. "I am not a member of the Greek, but of theCatholic Church."

  "His Imperial Majesty would direct your Highness's attention to theCzernovese coronation-oath, the formula prescribed by the Charter."

  "How is that oath phrased?" asked Barbara.

  "Its precise wording is: 'I swear to maintain the Greek Faith.'"

  "And it is my intention to maintain it. The Greek Church shall meetwith no interference or oppression from the Catholic princess. Itsliberty and privileges shall remain inviolate."

  Orloff seemed quite dumfounded at this way of explaining the oath.Recovering from his surprise, he said,--

  "That is not the interpretation put upon those words by the Czar. Inhis view 'maintaining' is synonymous with 'believing.'"

  "Not so, count," replied Barbara, firmly. "On this point we haveconsulted not the forensic authorities of Czernova, who might besuspected of favoring our interest, but the leading jurists andstatesmen of Europe, and they are unanimous in the opinion that thecoronation-oath does not bind the ruler of Czernova to a personalbelief in the faith of the Greek Church, but merely imposes theobligation of maintaining it as an establishment _in statu quo_."

  That the Czernovese ministry had been seeking the views of Europe inthe matter of the coronation-oath came upon Orloff as a completesurprise. If the princess had spoken truly, the consensus of opinionwould seem to show that the argument by which Russia had been hopingto exclude her from the throne was lacking in validity. An appeal byCzernova to the arbitrament of the Powers on this question wouldenable the principality to sail triumphantly in the teeth of Russianambition.

  "I will report your answer to the Czar," replied Orloff, and withmortification plainly visible on his face, he proceeded to his nextpoint.

  "The Czar regrets the necessity which compels him to prefer againstthe state of Czernova a charge of the violation of his ownjurisdiction in the matter of his kinsman, the Duke of Bora, who whileon Russian ground was summarily arrested by order of the princess."

  "Have you proof of this alleged violation of territory?"

  "How?" exclaimed Orloff in feigned amazement. "'Proof'? 'Allegedviolation'? The sacred word of his Majesty doubted?"

  "I can of my own knowledge testify that his grace was on Czernoveseground at the time of his arrest."

  "We have o
ur witnesses, Baron Ostrova, the duke's secretary, and aCossack sentinel."

  A murmur of indignation ran through the assembly at the envoy'sinsolent language.

  "And you have the word of a princess," replied Barbara, with dignity,"word purer far than that of twenty Ostrovas or twenty Cossacks. Butwe have a witness whom even the envoy of the Czar must respect. Mylord of Bora, stand forth."

  And to the surprise of those, unaware till then of his presence, theDuke of Bora, who had been keeping in the background, came forward andstood before the throne.

  However great his sympathy with the envoy's aims, however muchembittered with the princess by reason of his imprisonment, he durstnot in her presence, and in the presence of other witnesses of hisarrest, state anything else but the truth.

  With a forced smile he bowed to Orloff, his fellow-conspirator.

  "As the princess avers," he said, "there has been some error on thepart of his Majesty's informants. My arrest took place on theCzernovese side of the frontier."

  The envoy grew more disconcerted at this, his second failure toentangle the princess in his political net.

  "A twofold offence has been committed in his Majesty's dominions," hecontinued; "first, in the matter of the duel itself, duelling beingcontrary to the law of Russia; and, secondly, in the matter ofcorrupting by bribes a soldier of the Czar, a Cossack sentinel."

  "That honest Cossack," said Barbara, sweetly, "whose testimony youwould have used against me?"

  A smile rippled round the assembly.

  Orloff flushed angrily.

  "And therefore," he continued, ignoring Barbara's pointed remark, "onthe ground that they have broken the law of Russia the Czar requiresthe extradition of the two offenders, his grace the Duke of Bora, andthe Englishman, Captain Paul Woodville."

  "The latter at all costs, I presume," said Barbara, caustically.

  A second smile went round the assembly; their eyes with one accordturned towards the soldier who had foiled the Russian arms atTajapore.

  "Captain Woodville," continued Barbara, and none but Paul knew whatpleasure it gave her thus to act as his champion, "Captain Woodville,though resident in Czernova, has not yet resigned the rights of aBritish subject, and therefore it will be more prudent on our part towait till the English ambassador at St. Petersburg shall have notifiedto us his will in this matter. Till such time the question of theduke's extradition must likewise remain in abeyance."

  Barbara's finesse in throwing her difficulty upon the broad shouldersof the British representative drew a sour smile from Orloff, who knewfull well that that potentate would never sanction the extradition ofan English officer on the grounds alleged.

  Orloff was not slow to perceive the triumph of the assembly. It wasclear to him that so far in the course of his embassy matters betweenRussia and Czernova would have to remain _in statu quo_, inasmuch asthe princess's policy afforded no ground for quarrel. But Orloff hadother arrows in his quiver, and he prepared to discharge them.

  "The Czar would fain learn the meaning of the device on the newCzernovese coinage."

  "What signification does his Majesty himself attach to it?"

  "In his view the assumption of the arms of Poland implies a claim tothe throne of Poland,--a claim at variance with his own lawfulsovereignty over that realm."

  "Count, tell us whose arms are those?"

  And Barbara here directed Orloff's attention to a part of the roofwhere hung a faded white banner, its centre embroidered with thefigure of a double-headed eagle in black thread, a banner captured inold time from Russia, and therefore no agreeable sight to the eyes ofa Muscovite general.

  "They are the arms of Russia," replied Orloff sullenly, and wonderingwhy he should be asked the question.

  "Yet that double-headed black eagle was the arms of the Greek emperorsof Constantinople," said Barbara. "If my armorial device implies anaspiration for the throne of Poland, then must the Czar be creditedwith an aspiration for the throne of the Sultan. Are the chancelleriesof Europe to understand that such is his aim?"

  Again the assembly smiled. Nicholas's intention of seizing upon "thesick man's inheritance" was strongly suspected at this time, but itwould not have been politic on the part of Orloff to affirm it. Ascowl stole over his face at this, his fourth defeat.

  "As regards the arms of Poland," said Barbara, "I, as a descendant ofPolish kings, have every right to use such arms upon my coinage."

  "But has Czernova the right to issue a coinage of its own apart fromthe Russian currency? Is it permitted by the Charter of Catherine?"

  "Marshal, cause a copy of the Charter to be brought."

  "Oh! no, your Highness," said Orloff quickly, and interchanging asignificant smile with the Duke of Bora, a smile noticed andunderstood by Zabern, "not a copy. We would see the original documentitself."

  Barbara stared hard at the speaker, having no suspicion of hissinister purpose in preferring this request.

  "You would see the original document?" she repeated. "This is truly asingular demand. As the Charter was signed in duplicate, why notconsult your own original, which, if history err not, was deposited inthe archives of the Kremlin?"

  "We would, if it were there; but seek as we may, we have never beenable to find the alleged document!"

  "Alleged document?" repeated Barbara, knitting her brows. "Did you sayalleged?"

  "Yes," retorted Orloff, with an insolent sneer that brought all theblood to Barbara's face, and caused the more fiery portion of theassembly to half-draw their blades. "Yes; for the truth is," hecontinued, glancing defiantly around, "Czernova never had any suchCharter as is commonly alleged. How the first so-called Prince ofCzernova contrived to impose upon Russia the fiction of a Chartergranted by Catherine is indeed inexplicable; nevertheless the councilof the empire has received ample proof that such document has neverexisted."

  Barbara's lifted hand quelled the wrathful murmurs.

  "And without such Charter," she said, "it necessarily followsthat--will you finish the sentence for me, Count?"

  "It follows that Czernova is as much a part of the Czar's dominions asthe rest of Russian Poland."

  "Proceed a step farther, Count. Say that in reigning over Czernova Ihave become liable to a charge of treason in having usurped theauthority of the Czar."

  "His Majesty will permit you to plead ignorance."

  "We commend his sweet graciousness. But I can claim the word of theCzar himself that I am the lawful ruler of Czernova, inasmuch as you,his chosen representative, have greeted me with the title of'Princess' and 'Highness.' If you now deny what you have previouslyaffirmed; if you now declare it to be treason to acknowledge me asprincess--then you have caused the Czar to be guilty of treasonagainst the Czar! Truly, Sir Envoy, you conduct your embassy instrange and perplexing fashion, and we would pray you to be more clearof speech. For as touching your allegation that the Charter never hadexistence, by your own mouth are you contradicted, seeing that youyourself have cited from that Charter the words of the Czernovesecoronation oath. Are we now to understand that in your desire toexclude me from the throne, you did not scruple to quote from amythical document?"

  Surely no ambassador can ever have blundered more than Orloff! He wasevidently better qualified to bully a regiment or to preside at aknouting than to conduct diplomatic negotiations. Thick-skinned as hewas, he felt the sting of Barbara's remarks, and his great facereddened. He had thought to gain an easy victory over a young girl,whereas it was now clear that in this contest of the tongue, theprincess was decidedly his superior. Zabern smiled grimly, muchregretting that Katina was not present to be a witness of her enemy'shumiliation.

  "In using the terms 'Princess' and 'Charter,'" said Orloff, "be itunderstood that my language was provisional."

  "And so," said Barbara, with sovereign disdain curving her lips, "itwould seem that for fifty years Czernova has been enjoying its freedomby virtue of false statements. Marvellous that during all this timeRussia has never once raised her voice in protest
! Truly it says butlittle for the wisdom of her statesmen in thus permitting themselvesto be duped for a period of half a century! But we would draw theCzar's attention to a decree of the Congress of Vienna, and wordedthus: 'The principality of Czernova shall be governed according to theCharter granted by Catherine the Second; and Russia, Austria, andPrussia are herewith empowered to uphold the provisions of the same.'That Congress must have had reason for believing in the existence ofthe Charter, else how could they have spoken thus? In the face of thatdecree is the Czar so ill-counselled as to deny the existence of thehistoric Czernovese Charter?"

  "That is his attitude, and nothing but its production in my presencewill set his doubts at rest."

  "Marshal Zabern is the Warden of the Charter. He can quickly provethat there is such a document preserved in the Eagle Tower."

  "Pardon me, your Highness, not in the Eagle Tower," observed Zabern."When your Highness appointed me Warden of the Charter, I had thedocument removed to--to--well, for obvious reasons I prefer to keepits place of deposit a secret. The document you refer to in the ironcoffer of the Eagle Tower is a copy merely."

  The natural unaffected way in which Zabern spoke almost imposed uponPaul himself. It certainly imposed upon Orloff. Never did humancountenance change so quickly as did that of the envoy at thismoment,--the moment of his anticipated triumph.

  The Charter in the Eagle Tower a transcript merely, and not the greatoriginal! Then his plot had resulted only in the destruction of aworthless document. Czernova stood as firm as ever!

  Orloff's mortification found a reflection in the face of Bora. Paulmarked them both, and never did falsehood give him such pleasure asthe falsehood told by Zabern.

  "After such testimony on the part of the marshal," observed Barbara,"you will no longer doubt."

  "Then I am to understand," said Orloff, "that you refuse to permit theCzar's envoy to inspect the Charter?"

  "The Czar exceeds his authority in making such demand," repliedBarbara with dignity. "By the decree of the Congress of Vienna,Austria and Prussia are equally concerned in this matter of theCharter. They have not yet called its existence in question. To ajoint embassy from the three Powers doubt not that we shall pay dueregard."

  Barbara's attitude in thus associating the courts of Vienna and Berlinwith that of St. Petersburg upon the point at issue was diplomaticallycorrect, as Orloff very well knew. Unless the two other states shouldact in concert with Russia, the latter had no power to compel Czernovato produce its Charter. And it was quite within the range ofprobability that Austria and Prussia, from motives of politicaljealousy, would decline to co-operate in an affair from which Russiaalone was to gain.

  Therefore, reflecting upon all this, Orloff began to perceive that hisplot for the destruction of the Charter, even granting that it hadbeen successfully carried out, was by no means so decisive a blow ashe had at first been led to suppose. Czernova might be without itstitle to autonomy, but this difficulty remained--how were the Czar'sministry to establish the fact?

  A gleam of cunning suddenly appeared on the face of the envoy. He hadsolved the problem.

  "Is it not a part of the coronation-ritual," he asked, "that theoriginal Charter of Catherine shall be placed upon the altar, and thatthe ruler of Czernova with hand laid upon it shall swear to maintainits provisions?"

  "That is so," responded the princess; "and we especially invite you,Count, to a seat in the chancel in order that you may witness theceremony, and set your doubts at rest."

  "I shall certainly avail myself of the privilege offered me," saidOrloff with a peculiar smile, incomprehensible to Barbara, butperfectly understood by at least two persons present.

  Fear fell upon Paul, if not upon Zabern. Though it might be easy nowto equivocate, and to devise plausible excuses for withholding theCharter from the envoy's view, yet on the great day of the coronation,the day that should be the brightest in Barbara's life, the fataltruth would have to be revealed. How was it possible to replace thevital document that had been destroyed by fire!

  "I have discharged my embassy," said Orloff, bowing.

  "Count Radzivil," observed Barbara, turning to the premier, "on youdevolves the honor of entertaining our guest, Count Feodor Orloff, solong as he shall remain in Czernova."

  But the envoy, his asperity not at all softened by the princess'scourtesy, bluntly averred his intention of setting out for St.Petersburg within an hour from that time.

  "Loyalty to the Czar forbids me to dally in his service."

  "The Czar is honored in possessing an envoy so discreet. My lords, wewill retire."

  Zabern was the first to draw his sabre, and to hold it aloft over thehead of Barbara; the rest of her adherents standing in a double lineimitated his action, Paul among the number; and thus the fairsovereign, with a smile and a blush, and yet maintaining an air ofdignity withal, passed out beneath an arcade of brilliantsword-blades, and amid a saluting cry from her soldiery of "Long livethe Princess of Czernova!"

  She had gained a diplomatic victory over Russia, but none knew betterthan Barbara herself that her triumph was merely temporary, and thatRussia would return to the charge at the first opportunity.

  The assembly broke up. Orloff went back to the Hotel de Varsovie, andsummoning those of his suite who had not attended him to the VistulaPalace, he set off immediately for Russia. The Duke of Bora, withbitterness rankling at his heart, followed the princess to herapartments, determined to hear from her own lips whether it was herintention to break off the marriage to which she had been so longpledged. The ministers sought the palace gardens, where they discussedthe envoy's defeat.

  "The Czar will not submit to such rebuff," said Radzivil, gloomily."Yet how could the princess speak and act otherwise if she mustmaintain her dignity?"

  "Aha!" grinned Zabern to Paul, as they remained behind in the ThroneHall. "Did you mark the two traitors--the fall in their faces? Theyare somewhat doubtful now as to the success of their plot. Orloff isreturning to Russia more than half-convinced that the Charter is stillintact."

  "He has a lingering suspicion, however," remarked Paul. "You havestaved off the difficulty--but only for a time. What will happen onthe coronation-day when Orloff beholds a charterless altar?"

  "Bah! I'll remedy that," replied Zabern, adding as he turned away,"shall I see you at the bal masque this evening?"

  "Without doubt," answered Paul; for had not Barbara promised to dancewith none but himself, a course she could take without excitingsuspicion as to the relationship existing between herself and hersecretary, inasmuch as her mask and fancy costume would disguise heridentity. "Without doubt," he continued, "for I am young, which is tosay, frivolous. But you, marshal, will you be there? I thought you hada soul above music and dancing?"

  "And such have I. But the masquerade held this evening by command ofthe princess is something more than a mere _fete_; it is a cloak tocover a certain political enterprise--what, you shall learn when thetime comes. Captain Woodville," added Zabern, mysteriously, "at thebal masque of to-night history will be made. Till then, farewell."

  With this Zabern turned away, and ascended to the lofty chamber inwhich he had left Katina.

  He opened the door, not without a certain fear that she might havefulfilled her threat of suicide, but to his relief he saw her sittingpensively beside the barred casement. There was a pistol by her side,a weapon which the marshal intuitively felt was a loaded one.

  He had expected to be received with reproachful invective, instead ofwhich she met him with a glad light in her eyes. She seemed totallytransformed from the vengeful maiden whom he had left an hourpreviously. Zabern noted the change and wondered.

  "Your imprisonment is over, Katina," he said, gently. "Orloff hasdeparted."

  "I know it," she replied, "for I have seen him."

  "You have seen him," muttered the marshal, glancing suspiciously atthe pistol, and doubtful now as to whether it was loaded.

  "Yes. In departing Orloff and his suite took their way throu
gh thepalace gardens and passed within view of this very window. I couldhave over-reached you, marshal," she continued with a smile, "for, asmy pistol is with me," she added, tapping the weapon, "I could easilyhave brought him down."

  "But the thought of Czernova stayed your hand?"

  "No!" she answered, "no," murmuring the words faintly, as if speakingmore to herself than to him, while at the same time the soft colormantled her cheek, "it was the thought rather of him whom I love thatkept me from the deed."

  "Him whom you love?" repeated Zabern, with a touch of surprise in hisvoice. "Love? Humph! I am glad to hear that word from you, Katina."

  "Why so?" she asked, casting a glance at him, and averting her eyesagain immediately, when she observed how steadfastly he was regardingher.

  "It shows that you are human if you can be touched by that sentiment,"laughed Zabern. "I have been accustomed to think that you were even asmyself."

  "In what way?"

  "Insensible to love. You know that my father led me in childhood tothe sacramental altar, and there made me swear to do my best todestroy a great empire. Complete devotion to that patriotic vow--"

  "Has extinguished in you every other emotion," murmured Katina.

  "True. _Delenda est Muscovia_ is written on my heart in letters offire. Patriotism is the only passion that has ever possessed me. Butwith youthful maiden it should be different. Because Poland is notfree must you, too, steel your heart against natural affection? And somy pretty Katina has a sweetheart? And his name?"

  Why Katina should look frightened, and why her face should turn sowhite, completely mystified Zabern. As she remained silent he repeatedhis last question.

  "His name? No! I cannot tell it; at least--not--not to you; thoughothers know it. Nay," she added, wildly, "even Russakoff, the spy,can taunt me with it in the public street."

  "Others know it, even Russakoff?" repeated Zabern. "And yet you wouldkeep the name from me? Well, be it so," he added reproachfully. "Ishould have thought, Katina, that you would have let your old friend,the marshal, be the first to congratulate you."

  Strange that Zabern, so quick to divine the plans of his enemies,should be so dull at reading a woman's heart! Yet so it was. He reallyhad not the least idea as to the cause of Katina's agitation. Hethought it behoved him to find out. He had nursed her as a child onhis knee, and now with the tender familiarity of an old friend heplaced his hand beneath her chin, and though she attempted a faintresistance, he succeeded in raising her drooping face to his own. Thestrange wistful look in her dark eyes that met his for a moment only,and then fell again, was a complete revelation to the marshal. It toldher secret as clearly as if she had spoken it.

  "Katina!" he murmured, huskily, quitting his hold of her, and startingback.

  Katina herself sank on a seat silently and with averted face, the verypicture of confusion.

  "What! am I the man?"

  If silence gives assent, then Katina had assented.

  There was a brief interval of silence. Then the affair seemed topresent itself in a humorous light to the marshal, for he began tolaugh.

  "You love me! Me! the greatest knave in Czernova! a one-handed grimold fellow like myself, twice your age, with an ugly face,made--thanks to the Russians!--still more ugly by sabre-cuts. You havea strange taste, Katina, when there is many a young and handsome Polewilling to make you his bride."

  "But none like Zabern," she murmured, yet hardly daring to say thewords.

  Though the marshal looked upon Katina as the fairest maiden inCzernova after the princess, yet the thought of wooing her had neverentered his head; but now, while he contemplated her as she trembledlike a leaf, looking the more charming in her confusion, the grim oldwarrior felt within himself a power unfelt till that moment.

  "Katina," he said, and never before had she heard his voice sound sogentle,--"Katina, you may kiss me--if you like."

  "It is your place to come and kiss me."

  Zabern was making a forward movement, but ere he could take the secondstep Katina was within his arms, and clinging as if she intended neverto release her hold. And it was evident that the marshal found his newexperiences far more attractive than the business required of him as aminister; for when a minute afterwards a secretary tapped at the doorwith the announcement that he was bringing state despatches, Zabern,in a loud voice, bade him begone and carry the despatches tothe--well, a certain dark gentleman popularly supposed by theMuscovites of Czernova to be a near relation of Zabern himself.

  "And have you never before loved any woman?" asked Katina, as she saton the marshal's knee, and seeming to be quite at home there, too!

  "Never; but now I shall love all women for your sake."

  "I had rather you did not," said Katina, opening wide her eyes; andthen as she nestled closer within his embrace she murmured, "this ismore pleasant than to hang for the slaying of Orloff."

  "Much more," remarked Zabern. "To shoot him would have been a veryinadequate retribution for what he made you suffer. One swift pang,and all would have been over. Now I will point out a better way ofavenging yourself--a way that shall cause Orloff to eat out his heartin vexation of spirit."

  "But, Ladislas," answered Katina, for she had begun to call themarshal by his Christian name: "Ladislas," she repeated, with apressure of his arms, "love has extinguished the desire forvengeance."

  "Humph! well, vengeance or no vengeance, there is a certain work to bedone, and a work, too, that must be kept so secret that I dare nottrust any one with the knowledge of it, save you, my second self."

  "If it be a task that can be performed by a woman, let me be the oneto do it."

  "Good! Is not this little hand," said Zabern, raising it to his lipsas he spoke, "that can use pistol so well equally skilled in handlingthe pen?"

  "And how can my penmanship serve you?" asked Katina, with wonder inher eyes. "Oh, I see," she continued, with a mock pout, "you wish meto become your secretary, and when I bring despatches to the door, youwill tell me to go to Satan, as you did to that poor fellow just now."

  "This is how your pen can aid me," said Zabern. "Listen, while Ireveal to you a state secret unknown even to the princess and hercabinet."

  And here the marshal proceeded to whisper his communication, adding atits close, "Now you understand the work I require of you?"

  "O Ladislas, Ladislas," she said, gravely shaking her head at him, "Ibelieve you want to hang me, after all."

  "I have hanged men for similar work--true. But this deed is apardonable one, seeing that it is for the good of the state. 'The endjustifies the means'--that's Cardinal Ravenna's maxim; and if a holychurchman adopts that policy, why should not the profane Zabernlikewise? The plan I have suggested is the only way of defeating theknavery of Orloff, and of saving Czernova from the power of the Czar.Your hand is more expert and delicate than mine, else would I not setit to this task. I dare not entrust its execution to any other, for itwould be hazardous to admit a fourth person to the secret. Theknowledge of it must be confined to Katina, Captain Woodville, andZabern. You will do this?"

  "I will do anything you ask of me," replied Katina, simply.