"I am delighted to welcome you, Signor. Salmoros has vouched for you.
Our good friend, Golitzine, who is a keen judge of men, assures me
that you are loyal and true to those who befriend you, as we have
done."

"My services, for what they are worth, are entirely at your Majesty's
disposal," answered Corsini fervently. It was but natural he should be
a little overcome by the gracious condescension of such a high
personage. He was not even petty enough to be chagrined by the
discovery that his sudden advancement was not due solely to his
artistic genius.

The Emperor, having said just what was needful, retired to the
seclusion of his bay window. The astute Count resumed the
conversation.

"I trust, Signor Corsini, there are no reservations in your
expressions of loyalty to those who have advanced and befriended you?"

"I am afraid I do not quite follow your Excellency."

"Tut, tut, my good young friend. I am quite sure we shall understand
each other very quickly. La Belle Quero, according to report, is very
enamoured of you--an artist like herself, a handsome and presentable
young man; vastly, in my opinion, superior to the brutal Zouroff. Now,
this important thing is--what are your sentiments towards her?"

Nello's answer was very frank. "I have grown to look upon her simply
as a kind and good friend."

Golitzine drew a breath of relief. It was as he had hoped. The young
musician had placed his fancy on one far removed from him, by rank and
position. The comparatively coarse charm of the handsome singer could
not compete with the youthful beauty of the Princess Nada. A benign
expression stole over his lined face.

"And if you knew that Madame Quero was taking advantage of the
hospitality of this country, of her apparently neutral position, to
conspire and plot with his Majesty's sworn enemies, you would be hand
and glove with us to find out what you could in order to frustrate her
designs?"

"Assuredly, your Excellency." Nello had started from his seat and
spoken with fervour. "My duty and my allegiance is to the Emperor,
yourself, and the Baron Salmoros. Madame Quero, good friend as I
believed her to be, counts as nothing."

"That is precisely what I want to be assured of," said the Count.
"Now, Signor, put that question I suggested to Madame Quero. It may be
she will tell you a deliberate lie. It may be she will seek to
entangle you in this plot, and make you one of the conspirators as the
price of her f