in his own mind that Zouroff was the man
who desired his removal? Or had he learned it all from Beilski?

She could not be sure. She had fenced as well as she could with
Beilski, but the fact that that carriage had been drawn up within a
few yards of the Palace certainly supported the idea that the Prince
was the perpetrator of the outrage. Of course, she knew nothing of the
General's second interview with Katerina; the maid had thought it
wiser to keep that to herself. Neither did she know of the other
interview with Peter the valet.

Zouroff had gone out, leaving word that he would not be home till late
at night, very shortly after that stormy scene between the pair. The
coast was clear. She would send round a note to Corsini asking him to
come and see her for a few moments. Her maid would be waiting for him
and would at once conduct him to her boudoir.

She would then endeavour to find out how much he knew; and if he had
discovered the absolute truth, then she would seek his counsel and
advice.

Corsini went to the Palace at once, much as he disliked entering the
house of which the hateful and treacherous Prince was master.

He could see that the young Princess was very agitated as she greeted
him.

"It is very kind of you to come so quickly, Signor. What I really
wanted to see you about was this. In that letter you wrote me when you
sent me that piece of music I asked for, you made use of certain
expressions which I could not quite understand. You spoke of my
having done you some service for which you wished to express your
thanks."

The Italian looked at her steadily and intently, but in that deep gaze
there was a very tender expression.

"Can you yourself recall no service that you have rendered me,
Princess?"

So he knew. Of course, if he had not guessed of his own volition,
Beilski would have told him that she had sent that letter of warning.

"Ah, I see you have found out," she faltered. "Well, on the spur of
the moment I did my best, and I am glad that the result was so
successful."

"I shall ever remember it with the deepest feelings of gratitude,"
said the young musician fervently. "It could have been no light matter
for you to act as you did, to run the risk of being detected."

There was now no further need of fencing on either side. "Signor,
since there is now such a frank understanding between us, I want to
ask your advice on a matter that is troubling me very much."

In tones of unmis