“What rubbish are you talking about?  I am at home, surrounded by my servants, and I have nothing to fear.  I beg of you to believe me.”

“You deny it!” exclaimed Pierre.  “I expected as much.  But you are only taking useless trouble.  Come, Jeanne, I am the friend of your childhood; you have no reason to fear aught from me.  I am only trying to be of use to you.  You must know that, by my coming here, I know all.  Jeanne, listen to me!”

“Are you mad?” interrupted the young woman, proudly, “or are you taking part in some absurd joke?”

“I am in my right mind, unfortunately for you!” said Pierre, roughly, seeing that Jeanne refused to believe him.  “And there is no joke in the matter.  Everything is true, serious and terrible!  Since you compel me to say things which may be unpalatable, they must out.  Prince Panine is in your house, or he soon will be.  Your husband, whom you think far away, is within call, perhaps, and will come and take you unawares.  Is not that a serious matter?”

A frown overspread her face, and in an ungovernable rage she stepped forward, determined not to give in, and exclaimed: 

“Go away! or I shall call for assistance!”

“Don’t call, it would look bad!” resumed Pierre, calmly.  “On the contrary, let the servants get out of the way, and get the Prince to go if he be here, or if he has not yet arrived, prevent his coming in.  So long as I remain here you will dissimulate your fear and will not take any precautions.  I will leave you, then.  Adieu, Jeanne!  Believe that I wished to render you a service, and be sure that when I have crossed the threshold of this door I shall have forgotten everything that I may have said.”

Pierre bowed, and, lifting the heavy curtain which hid the door leading to the gallery, went out.

He had hardly gone when the opposite door opened, and Serge entered the room.  The young woman rushed into his arms and whispered into his ear, with trembling lips: 

“Serge, we are lost!”

“I was there,” answered Panine.  “I heard all.”

“What shall we do?” cried Jeanne, terrified.

“Go away at once.  To remain here a moment longer is an imprudence.”

“And I, if I remain, what shall I say to Cayrol when he comes?”

“Your husband!” said Serge, bitterly.  “He loves you, he will forgive you.”

“I know; but then we two shall be separated for ever.  Is that what you desire?”

“And what can I do?” cried Serge, in despair.  “Everything around me is giving way!  Fortune, which has been my one aim in life, is escaping from me.  The family which I have scorned is forsaking me.  The friendship which I have betrayed overwhelms me.  There is nothing left to me.”