“Although we are mortal enemies, Count,” said the Princess Gulof, “allow me to congratulate you.  I hear you have won the hand of Mlle. Moriaz.”

“Mortal enemies?” he said, in a low, troubled voice.  “Why are we mortal enemies; my dear Princess?”

“Because I am a Russian and you are a Pole,” she replied.  “But we shall not have time to quarrel.  I am leaving for London at seven o’clock to-morrow morning.  What is the date of your wedding?”

“If I dared hope that you would do me the honour to attend it,” he said, skilfully evading answering her question, “I might put it off until your return from England.”

“You are too kind,” said the Princess.  “I would not think of delaying the happy event to which Mile.  Moriaz so eagerly looks forward.  What a beautiful girl she is!  I dare not ask you what is her fortune.  You are, I can see, an idealist.  You do not trouble yourself with matters of money.  But oh, you poor idealists,” she whispered, leaning over him with a friendly air, “you always come to grief in the end!”

“How is that?” he said with a smile.

“You dream with your eyes open, my dear Count Larinski, and your awakening is sometimes sudden and unpleasant.”

Then, advancing her head towards her companion, her little eyes flaming like a viper’s, she whispered:  “Samuel Brohl, I knew you all along.  Your dream has come to an end.”

A cold sweat broke out on the forehead of the adventurer.  Leaning over the Princess, his face convulsed with hatred, he murmured: 

“Samuel Brohl is not the sort of man to put up with an injury.  Some years ago, he received two letters from you.  If ever he is attacked, he will publish them.”

Rising up, he made her a low bow, and took leave of Mlle. Moriaz and her father, and left the house.  At first, he was utterly downcast, and inclined to give up the game; but as he tramped back to Paris in the moonlight, his courage returned.  He had two letters which the Princess had written to him when she was engaged in Paris on a political mission of great importance, and they contained some amazing indiscretions in regard to the private lives of several august personages.

“No,” he said to himself, “she will think twice before she interferes in my affairs.  I can ruin her as easily as she can ruin me.”

As a matter of fact, Princess Gulof was unable to sleep all that night.  She was torn between the desire for vengeance and the fear of reprisals.

IV.—­The Partnership is Dissolved

The next morning, after breakfast, Mlle. Moriaz was surprised to receive a visit from Princess Gulof.

“I have come to see you about your marriage,” said the Princess.

“You are very kind,” replied Mlle. Moriaz, “but I do not understand....”