eyes flashed wide with surprise, and she
felt proud and loved the bravery of her religion. But to what it
portended she thought on for a moment seriously and concluded Royal
personages must be present, or why else such precaution?

As the business had to do with Mistress Penwick only, Cantemir was
asked to withdraw. As soon as the business was entered upon, the
maid's doubts of the surrounding company were dispelled and she knew
none of the Royal party would dare be even an unknown guest at such a
meeting.

At the conclusion of the council she held an important secret, more
important to herself than she dreamt. It made her bold, and she
straightway arose and spoke out clearly,--

"If the reverend fathers would agree upon a certain matter, I will
start at once upon my journey. I feel my mission to the King to
be more important than all else to me, and for the success of my
undertaking I deem it best I should go as maid and not wife to his
most Royal presence." This was a startling but most acceptable
assertion. It had been much spoken on by the Abbes but by common
consent they agreed if the maid wished to marry the Russian, why--they
would offer no objections; so they had left the matter.

"Dost think, Mistress Penwick, thou canst settle readily the case with
the Count?"

"'Twill be easy and quickly done. Call him hither!" said she. The
Russian came with eagerness and some impatience, for he feared a delay
might plunge him into a lively skirmish.

Katherine went to his side, and placing her fingers upon his arm,
said,--

"Thou wilt escort me to the King?"

"Most gladly, and where else in life thou shalt choose to go."

"'Tis the present that indicates the future,--wilt come at once
without ceremony?"

"Nay, nay, I protest. I must have thee as wife, first, Mistress
Penwick!"

Constantine leant toward them from the table and looked with purpose,
a frown emphasizing his shrewd glance,--

"We have not time for further controversy, and if the maid will say
the word, the ceremony will be performed now." The Abbe knew the maid
would give in to circumstances sooner than the determined Count, and
thus hastened her. All eyes were upon the two, and Katherine hearing
in the priest's voice a tone of insistence, stood for a moment
motionless and evidently debating her course.

As she opened her lips, there was a sudden sound of horses' feet.

In a moment a thundering knock upon the door's panelling demanded
admitt