I wished you were dead. Yes, you needn't look so
horrified." He gave her a fierce shake. "I hoped to see you in your
coffin. Can't you understand, Fatalite? No, of course you can't, and
you think me a brute. One of these days perhaps you will think
differently. Probably you imagine I don't care for you, but if I didn't
should I mind whether you were alive or dead? You've always been saying
that you feel something is going to happen. It seems you are right.
There have been several unexpected developments during the last few days.
It is most likely that I may be chosen to go back to Russia with
despatches to one of the secret societies there. Here I cannot be
arrested, there I can. Of course it means Siberia--eventually. That's
only what we all expect."

"Then I shall be here alone."

"Yes, and there's no future for a woman in this vile place. You know the
proverb they have, 'Can any good thing come out of Barcelona?' Your
looks are against you too."

"There's always the river."

"Then when the time comes choose that--if you still have the courage.
You've been _bonne camarade_ to me, Fatalite. The men you will meet
later on may not want that."

CHAPTER XV

"I kiss you and the world begins to fade."
W. B. YEATS.

Count Vladimir and Emile met and consulted together, the immediate
result of the interview being that Vardri was offered the post of
private secretary to the former. Emile had gone out leaving them
together, and Vladimir had hardly finished speaking when he found
himself faced by an unexpected situation.

"I accept with pleasure," Vardri said, "but on one condition--that it
means my remaining in Barcelona."

Vladimir hesitated. "Well, I had not contemplated that. Naturally one
requires one's secretary to be--"

"I understand, Monsieur. I hope you will not consider me ungrateful,
but there is a reason."

"It's a woman?"

Vardri bowed gravely. "Exactly, Monsieur. It's a woman."

"You are risking a great deal for her. Poleski has told me something
of your circumstances, and it appears that if you do not get some
appointment very soon, you will starve."

Vardri straightened himself, throwing back his head with a
characteristic gesture. He looked the older man in the eyes, his own
alight and eloquent under finely drawn brows.

"That's as it may be! I'll take my chance of work. In any case I
cannot leave Barcelona. Of course, I regret greatly that it