e Opera,
and must at once come into touch with her in pursuance of his
professional duties."

"Precisely. That is just what I wish to anticipate. You have, as
always, most accurately taken my meaning."

A gleam of anxiety came into Golitzine's eyes as he ventured to give a
word of warning.

"I trust that your Majesty does not propose to do me the honor of
attending this function?"

"Why not? I had rather thought of coming, in order to learn from you
how the first act of the comedy was going. What are your objections?"

"You will remember, Sire, the solemn warning Salmoros has given me:
that you should show yourself in public as little as possible. I would
beseech your Majesty to pay heed to that warning. I cannot bar the
suspects from my house. Zouroff, for example, who arrives to-morrow,
must receive an invitation."

The Emperor indulged in an angry gesture. "It has come to something
when I have to slink away and hide myself from a traitor like that!
But you are right, Count; Salmoros is right. We must bide our time
until we can catch them red-handed. Then, Heaven help them! No, I will
not attend your wife's concert, from motives of prudence. But you will
let me know early next morning if the scheme is progressing?"

Count Golitzine accompanied his Royal Master to the door; then he
returned to his seat to meditate profoundly over what was happening.

CHAPTER XI

It wanted two days to Nello Corsini's assumption of his post as
director of the Imperial Opera, and to-night was the night of Countess
Golitzine's concert.

Nello was to play to-night in his private capacity of violinist, his
fame having already spread abroad through the good offices of the
Count. As soon as he took up his office as director he would not be
able to take on many private engagements. To use the language of
Degraux, he would be one of the exploiters rather than one of the
exploited.

The saloons of the Countess were very crowded. A rumour had gone
around that the Emperor himself would grace the function with his
august presence. This rumour, as the previous chapter has revealed,
was a false one; but its circulation had provided the hostess with
many guests who otherwise would not have put in an appearance.

Nello Corsini, at present unrecognised by the fashionable crowd which
had only heard of him by name, made his way amongst the beautifully
attired men and women. There was no familiar face amongst this vast
throng. For a