me; and may blessings follow you for your kindness. I shall
in future act but by your directions?"

"That is exactly what I wished you to say; and so now, Captain
O'Donahue, farewell."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

A RUNAWAY AND A HARD PURSUIT.

"Well, now," said McShane, after he had been informed by O'Donahue of
what had passed between him and the countess,--"this is all very pretty,
and looks very well; but tell me, are we to trust that fellow Dimitri?
Can we do without him? I should say not when it comes to the finale;
and is it not dangerous to keep him out of our confidence, being such a
sharp, keen-witted fellow? Nay, more, as he has stated his wish to
serve you in any way, it is only treating him fairly. He knows the
little dwarf who has been here so often; indeed, they were
fellow-servants in the Czartorinski family, for he told me so. I would
trust him."

"I think so, too; but we must not tell him all."

"No, that we certainly need not, for he will find it out without
telling."

"Well, McShane, do as you please; but on second thoughts, I will speak
to the countess to-morrow."

O'Donahue did so, the countess called upon the princess at the palace,
and the next morning O'Donahue received a note stating that Dimitri was
to be trusted. O'Donahue then sent for the courier, and told him that
he was about to put confidence in him on a promise of his fidelity.

"I understand you, sir, and all you intend to do; there is no occasion
to say anything more to me, until you want my assistance. I will not,
in the meantime, neglect your interest, for I hope to remain with you,
and that is the only reward I ask for any services I may perform. I
have only one remark to make now, which is, that it will be necessary, a
few days before you leave Petersburg, to let me know, that I may
advertise it."

"Advertise it!"

"Yes, sir, you must advertise your departure, that you may not run away
in debt. Such is the custom; and without three notices being put in the
_Gazette_, the police will not give you your passport."

"I am glad that you mentioned it. Of course you are aware that I am
paying attention to the Countess Erhausen, and shall leave Petersburg
with her, I trust, as my wife?"

"I understand sir, and shall take care that your intimacy there shall be
known to everybody."

So saying, Dimitri left the room.

The winter now set in with unusual severity. The river was one mass of
ice, the floating bridges ha