n to the influence of women. This is a most
vital point. He is very intelligent without being suspicious;
honourable, trustworthy, and innocent, without being a fool. I think I
have taken his measure pretty accurately. He is devoted to his art--he
is really a most accomplished musician, as the notices I enclose will
prove--and you must get him pushed forward to the premier place,
through the good offices of your friends. The Zouroffs are returning
for a short space to the Court and he will have the _entree_ to their
house. I fancy, from what I have heard, that the Princess Nada is just
a little attracted by him. The important thing, however, is to get him
an introduction to La Belle Quero. She is hand in glove with Prince
Zouroff, and from that fact alone to be suspected. They have been in
correspondence with each other all the short time he has been in
England; but although I have tried my best, I have never been able to
get hold of any of their letters."

Lord Ickfold paused a moment and looked at the Count, who nodded his
head.

"Yes, I agree. Corsini may be very useful, especially if he manages to
captivate La Belle Quero. That is, no doubt, what Salmoros has in his
mind, amongst several other things."

The Ambassador resumed his reading. "I regret that I have but a slight
clue to what I conceive to be a very bold and desperate conspiracy, in
which Zouroff is one of the leading figures. The man has a certain
amount of brains and a considerable amount of daring, which makes him
the more to be feared. But the information which I send your
Excellency in other letters is absolutely reliable. For the present,
until we can learn more, use all your influence through Golitzine and
others to make sure that the Emperor does not appear in public more
often than is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I fear disaster."

The two men discussed the situation for some time. There were other
documents besides the covering letter which they read very carefully.

Golitzine summed up, as it were. "Our hopes lie in the direction of La
Belle Quero through this young Italian, who, you tell me, is handsome
and also a talented artist."

"You have read in one of those other letters what Salmoros has said
of him--that he has created a considerable success in London, and only
just wants a little influence to push him into the front rank."

The Count smiled. "That is easy, my dear friend. The Director of the
Imperial Opera is getting a trif