at that moment bled for
him.

"Oh, Boris, I know it is good-bye for ever. Why did you not listen to
me when I pleaded with you to give up your dangerous schemes?"

But Zouroff hardly listened to her. He was thinking of that snowy,
never-ending road to Siberia, along which he would trudge in chains,
guarded by the merciless Cossacks.

"Don't worry me," he said in a dull voice. "All is finished. What is
the use of looking back?"

After the assembly had dispersed the Emperor retired to his private
cabinet. He intimated that, for the moment, he only wished to see
Golitzine and Corsini. The others he would interview later.

Immediately the door was closed he turned to the young Italian.

"Signor Corsini, I have said before in your presence that the house of
Romanoff is not ungrateful. I have great pleasure in bestowing upon
you the title of Count; there will also be paid to you a considerable
sum which you can invest at your discretion. The directorship of the
Imperial Opera, if you wish to retain it, can be yours for life. With
regard to your friend, Ivan, our promises have been already given.
Golitzine will see to this."

Corsini expressed his thanks in becoming language, and was about to
withdraw, when the Count detained him.

"One moment, Corsini; I shall take upon myself to disclose to
his Majesty a little idyll that has lately been going on in St.
Petersburg--one which the Countess has confided to me. The Princess
Nada has promised to be our young friend's wife."

The Emperor smiled graciously and extended his hand cordially.

"Congratulations, Signor. Nada will make a good and faithful wife. She
takes after her mother; the father and son were both ruffians."

CHAPTER XXVII

The night after these thrilling events, Corsini went to dine with
Salmoros at his hotel.

The great financier always travelled in royal state on important
occasions. He lodged himself in the same fashion. At the present
moment he was occupying one of the most expensive suites in the hotel.
Two secretaries and a valet formed his retinue. He had journeyed all
the way by special trains.

Well, in a way he was a monarch himself--one of the half-dozen
undisputed kings of finance, who are the power behind titular
potentates and taken into their counsels before they resolve upon
decided action.

There was no other guest. Salmoros wished to talk to this young man
alone. Nothing appealed to the Baron like success. He was prepared