on Saturday night. The next time you are
chatting with her, just mention it in a casual way, and ask her why
she does not include you, the Director of the Opera, in her intimate
circle?"

"I will certainly do so, Count," replied Nello just a little piqued at
the information he had received. It was strange that Madame Quero had
never invited him to one of these, presumably, select parties.

"By the way," added the Count. "If she should ask you where you got
your information from I must request you not to mention my name.
Refuse to satisfy her curiosity. I have special reasons for this."

Nello promised that he would obey the Count's injunction, and rose to
leave, under the impression that the interview was ended. But
Golitzine waved him to his seat.

"Just a few moments more, Signor Corsini. I want to take you a little
farther into my confidence. We all agree that you are a very capable
artist, but I suppose you may sometimes have wondered why your way in
this country has been made so very easy; why, in short, your success
has been so rapid."

"It has occurred to me many times, your Excellency, but I did not like
to ask directly for an explanation," replied the young violinist
quietly. "I thought that would come at the proper time and place. Am I
correct in assuming that I am to be given it now?"

"It shall be given you now," answered the Count in an equally equable
voice. "And I am going to speak very plainly, Signor Corsini. Salmoros
admired your talent greatly; he told me that in a private letter, and
he wished to push you for reason of that; but he also perceived in you
different qualities that would serve his own purposes--purposes which
are closely associated with the welfare of the Russian Empire."

The Count suddenly rose and waved his hand in the direction of the
silent man, lounging in the bay window.

"I am going to make a somewhat dramatic introduction. I present Signor
Corsini, the protege of Baron Salmoros, to the Emperor Alexander
himself, who has been a silent witness of our interview."

Corsini rose and bowed profoundly. Unused to the atmosphere of courts,
he was bewildered as to the exact etiquette on such occasions. Ought
he to kneel and kiss the Emperor's hand? He had a hazy notion he had
read somewhere that this was the prescribed ritual.

The Emperor put an end to his embarrassment by advancing and holding
out to him that strong hand which could bend a horse-shoe between its
fingers.