always upon a certain
window where a light was burning. He muttered often to himself, and
the things which he said were not pleasant to hear. He was tired and
cramped with his long waiting--yet so long as that light burned he
dared not approach the house.

There came to him at last a welcome sound, a light footstep and the
trailing of a skirt upon the gravel path. He leaned forward.

"Countess, I am here."

Marie stooped to pluck a flower, and slipped behind the shrub. They
were now invisible from the house.

"You received my note?" he asked.

"Yes."

"It was more than two hours ago. I am cold and tired with waiting. Was
it necessary to keep me here so long?"

"Quite," she answered. "I came as soon as it was safe."

"Who has been with your brother to-night?" he asked.

"How do you know that we have not been alone?"

He pointed to the light still burning in the window.

"That light," he said. "See, it is just extinguished. Your visitor has
gone."

She laughed bitterly.

"You are well served--by my servants," she said.

"It is for all our interests! The visitor?"

"It was General Kolashin."

"The General himself?"

"Yes. He came to reason with my brother about giving up his command."

Domiloff frowned.

"Your brother did not waver?"

"He wavered a good deal. But for me I think that he would have
returned to camp. I am sorry now that I interfered."

"You are not in a pleasant humour to-night, I fear, Countess."

"I am never in a pleasant humour when I have to do with--such as you.
Treason and deceit are ugly things, to us, at least, Baron Domiloff."

"I do not agree with your terms, Countess," he answered, "but this is
scarcely the place or the time for argument. Your brother?"

"He awaits you."

"He has spoken of our interview?"

"Yes!"

"And you have told him?"

"To beware of Baron Domiloff," she answered, coolly.

He bent over to read her face, uncertain in the dim twilight.

"You are jesting," he murmured.

"It is very possible," she admitted.

She turned away from him, and looked towards the hills. The muttering
of artillery still continued. Domiloff was uneasy.

"Countess," he said, "I must go in to your brother, for this evening
we were overheard in the Cafe Metropolitan, and I am not safe in the
city any longer. But, I pray you to tell me this. What is your
brother's disposition concerning these matters of which we have
talked?"

She shook her head.

"I cannot tell y