Quero had slipped
into her hand a substantial sum of money, immediately afterwards
disappearing into the darkness.

Although not happy nor assured, she felt relieved to know that
something had been done to thwart the Prince's sinister designs.

She walked swiftly to her carriage, and on her way passed Corsini, who
was going in the direction of the Palace with his beloved violin-case
in his hand. It was a peculiarity of the Italian that he never drove
where he could walk. She shuddered as she wondered if he was going to
his doom, or if the Princess's fervent hopes would be realised.

For a moment a wild impulse urged her to turn back and run after him,
to blurt out the truth and implore his silence. But the instinct of
self-preservation prevailed and the impulse was combated.

Zouroff's dark threat rang in her ears. And if the Prince's suspicions
were correct, Corsini was in the pay of Golitzine. If that were true,
she would entreat his silence in vain. Even gratitude for his escape
would not blind him to his obvious duty.

Corsini ascended the staircase, and the first person he met on
entering the handsome gilded music-salon was the master of the house.
To the Italian's intense surprise the Prince held out his hand and
greeted him with an apparent show of cordiality.

"Ah, good evening, Signor. You are a little late--is it not so? Many
of your admirers have been asking after you and fearing that you were
not able to come."

Nello, a man of a most frank and trusting disposition, was almost
overcome by this condescension. Had he misjudged the man after all? A
great Russian nobleman of ancient lineage might be disposed to look
down upon meaner persons who could boast of neither wealth nor origin.
At any rate, he was behaving well in his own house, was not reminding
him of the difference between their stations.

"I am afraid I am a little late, Prince. But I will make amends. If
they desire an extra encore they shall have it." Thus Nello, a little
elated by Zouroff's subtle suggestion that he was a person of great
importance in the world of art, and his audience was waiting
impatiently for his arrival.

He played very beautifully that night. The enthusiasm of his
listeners was so great that he had to grant not one, but three
encores. At last he left the platform.

The Princess Nada met him as he descended the few marble steps.

"You have surpassed yourself to-night, Signor. There are many waiting
to pay you co