have given instructions to Stepan to be in
readiness?"

Yes, she had given instructions to Stepan.

"Then you will give me a little snack before you start for the Opera?
No prolonged, heavy meal, we have neither of us time for that, just
something light."

"But, of course, Boris. You are always welcome to my hospitality, such
as it is. You will be here an hour before I have to start for the
Opera?"

The hypocrite bent low and kissed the hand she extended to him. "I
will be here on the tick of the clock. _Au revoir_, my old sweetheart,
who has come back to me again."

He went out, intent on his dark schemes. He plumed himself on the fact
that he had played his _role_ quite well. And she, this treacherous
woman who had sold him on account of her sudden fancy for Corsini, had
also played her part perfectly. It was diamond cut diamond, but he was
sure he would cut deeper of the two.

He was back to the minute. It was a light meal, but Madame Quero,
persuading herself that she was happy in this sudden reconciliation,
had provided him some dainties that he was very fond of. Zouroff was
in the highest spirits; he praised everything, drank her health
several times in the excellent champagne she had provided. The singer
ate sparingly and drank very little. It was a gala night at the Opera,
she had to be careful of her voice, of those liquid notes which were
presently to charm the house.

The moments fled swiftly, it was time for her to start. Zouroff was
going on foot to the house of a fellow conspirator.

He bade her good-night, and carelessly drew a small box from his
pocket. "See, I did not forget you, I have brought a box of your
favourite chocolates." He pointed with his finger to one. "See, here
is a fine fat fellow, I will take a smaller one."

La Quero could never resist chocolates. She took the big one Zouroff
pointed out to her and crunched it in her even white teeth. The Prince
laid the box on the table.

"Good-night," he said. "There is no time to lose. We are both a little
late." He went out, with a strange smile on his face.

Looking back to it in the happy after years, Corsini always declared
that of all days this had been the most eventful day in his life.

At the hotel, on the previous evening, he had found waiting for him
the note from Ivan the Cuckoo, who did not know at the time he
despatched that missive that he was a free man. Corsini, accompanied
by his faithful bodyguard, was to repair to