ays said, for myself, that I am entirely of Mademoiselle
Natacha's mind. You can be entirely reassured now, and I shall leave
you feeling reassured. Yes, I must think of getting my interviews done
quickly, and departing. Ah well, I can only say what I think. Run things
yourselves and you will not run any danger. Besides, the general gets
much better, and soon I shall see you all in France, I hope. I must
thank you now for your friendly hospitality."

"Ah, but you are not going? You are not going!" Matrena had already set
herself to protest with all the strenuous torrent of words in her
poor desolated heart, when a glance from the reporter cut short her
despairing utterances.

"I shall have to remain a week still in the city. I have engaged a
chamber at the Hotel de France. It is necessary. I have so many people
to see and to receive. I will come to make you a little visit from time
to time."

"You are then quite easy," demanded the general gravely, "at leaving me
all alone?"

"Entirely easy. And, besides, I don't leave you all alone. I leave you
with Madame Trebassof and Mademoiselle. I repeat: All three of you stay
as I see you now. No more police, or, in any case, the fewest possible."

"He is right, he is right," repeated Natacha again.

At this moment there were fresh knocks at the door of Matrena's chamber.
It was Ermolai, who announced that his Excellency the Marshal of the
Court, Count Keltzof, wished to see the general, acting for His Majesty.

"Go and receive the Count, Natacha, and tell him that your father will
be downstairs in a moment."

Natacha and Rouletabille went down and found the Count in the
drawing-room. He was a magnificent specimen, handsome and big as one
of the Swiss papal guard. He seemed watchful in all directions and all
among the furniture, and was quite evidently disquieted. He advanced
immediately to meet the young lady, inquiring the news.

"It is all good news," replied Natacha. "Everybody here is splendid. The
general is quite gay. But what news have you, monsieur le marechal? You
appear preoccupied."

The marshal had pressed Rouletabille's hand.

"And my grapes?" he demanded of Natacha.

"How, your grapes? What grapes?"

"If you have not touched them, so much the better. I arrived here very
anxious. I brought you yesterday, from Krasnoie-Coelo, some of the
Emperor's grapes that Feodor Feodorovitch enjoyed so much. Now
this morning I learned that the eldest son of Doucet