was,
at Rasputin's orders, compelled to conduct her out.

In the hall the young lady, who was certainly very pretty, became quite
quiet again, and turning to me said:

"Monsieur Rajevski, I came here on purpose to denounce that infernal
charlatan who is your employer. I am not without friends--and influential
ones. I have spoken my mind fearlessly and openly. No doubt I have made
an enemy of Grichka, but for that I care nothing, so long as I have
exposed him."

Little did the unfortunate young lady know of Rasputin's low cunning and
diabolical unscrupulousness when she had uttered those words. I made no
reply, for I feared that she would live to regret having created that
scene in the monk's holy-of-holies.

Late that evening, having been out, I returned to find the "saint" seated
with the Minister Maklakoff, the man whom the newspaper _Utro Rossy_
described as "The love-sick Panther." Both were in an advanced state of
intoxication, and when I entered, Rasputin, in a thick voice, exclaimed:

"Ah! my dear Feodor, I have just been describing the scene to-day with
that woman Anastasia Svetchine--the little spitfire! But a pretty woman,
Feodor--very pretty woman, eh? It's a pity"--he sighed--"a great pity!"

"Why?" asked the long-moustached Minister, who had just come from an
official reception, and was in his hussar uniform, with gold braid and
many decorations. "Are you not better rid of her, my friend? Women of her
sort are usually dangerous."

"I know she is dangerous," growled the holy Father, taking a deep gulp of
champagne. "That is why I intend that she shall pay dearly for her
defiance."

"Is she worth troubling about?" I queried. "You have so many affairs to
attend to just now."

"Gregory Rasputin always attends to his enemies first, Feodor," he
replied huskily.

The eyes of "The love-sick Panther" twinkled through his rimless
pince-nez. Well he knew the bitter revenge which the Starets wreaked upon
any who dared to challenge his divinity.

Maklakoff was at the time the Tsar's favourite Minister, and it was quite
usual after a Cabinet Council for the Emperor to ask him and
Soukhomlinoff to remain behind, as both were voted "really jolly
fellows." Then Their Majesties would unite with the children and a few
intimates, including the Father and Anna of course, and they would have a
little fun. Maklakoff was famed for his power of mimicry. He could
imitate the barking of dogs, and frequently announced hi