se, from what I know and can guess of the Prince would
provide him with an excellent reason for carrying out his plans as
quickly as possible," observed Corsini bitterly.

The poor young Princess seemed overwhelmed by the position. She felt
Corsini's advice was sound, and yet she shrank from taking such a
decided step. The Prince had used a similar threat before, and nothing
had come of it.

"I think I will wait till I see him again to-morrow," she said
presently. "I shall know by his mood if he has forgotten the incident.
Nothing will occur to-day. He has gone out, and left word that he will
not be home till late to-night."

Yes, he would be late home to-night; Corsini knew that for certain. He
still persisted, however, in his point.

"Delays are dangerous, Princess. I will help you any way you like. And
it will be wise to take advantage of his long absence to make your
escape. Tell me your destination, and I will myself bring round a
carriage to some quiet entrance where you can slip out unobserved. I
have not told you that I go about with a bodyguard with which the
General furnished me. The carriage shall be told to go at a walking
pace. I and my attendants will keep it in sight till you are safely at
your destination."

She thanked him warmly, but still persisted that she would prefer to
wait till to-morrow. If she changed her mind before the day was out,
she would slip out with her maid and take a passing conveyance.

Corsini took her hand and held it for a little time in his, while he
gazed earnestly into her troubled eyes, from which she could with
difficulty keep back the tears.

"My heart bleeds for you, dear lady. I wish I could convince you, and
I hate to leave you here. Will you let me know to-morrow to what
course of action you have made up your mind?"

She promised that she would, and the young man left her with feelings
of dire foreboding. Please Heaven, this night's work would turn out so
well that very shortly Zouroff would be rendered harmless and
impotent. To let him loose on the world was like letting a wild and
savage beast out of its cage.

The Prince did return to the Palace about the middle of the afternoon.
Was his message, that he would not be home till late at night, simply
a blind to lull his sister into a false sense of security? He did not
go near her; he went up to his own apartments by a private staircase,
only used by himself.

He summoned his valet, Peter, and gave him some