it cannot be.”
Her answer came short, sharp, decisive, firm, yet with ineffable sadness.
“Heaven knows! I would willingly share your burden, Vera.”
She paused, as if in doubt.
The silence grew painful, and I watched the mobile features which so plainly indexed the passing emotions of her mind. A blush, like that of shame, tinged her cheek and pallid brow as she lifted her face to mine, although her eyes were downcast.
“Frank,” she said, slowly, “will you help me?”
“With heart and soul, dearest.”
“Then you can do so.” And she drew a deep breath.
“How?”
She hesitated, wavering even then, as it seemed; and the colour left her cheeks as suddenly as it had appeared.
In a low voice, speaking rapidly and impetuously, she replied: —
“Briefly, you may learn this. My uncle is my guardian. He has, I believe, appropriated a large sum of money which is mine by right. Ah! I know what you would say. But I dare not prosecute or expose him, for the consequences would be almost beyond conception, and would affect myself more even than him. I am powerless!”
“But I can help you?”
“I’m afraid you will not consent to what I ask.”
“What is it? You know I cannot refuse a behest of yours.”
“A further annoyance, in fact a great danger, threatens me now. My dead mother’s jewels – on which I place great store, for they are the only souvenir remaining of she whom I dearly loved – are now coveted by him. In vain I have besought him to let me keep them, but he is inexorable. To place them with a friend in whom I have confidence is the only course remaining; that friend lives – ”
“Yes, where?”
“At St. Petersburg.”
“St. Petersburg!” I exclaimed, in surprise. “Oh! but, of course, it is your home?”
“It is; or rather was. Had I the opportunity I would convey them there myself, braving the displeasure of my harsh relative and the punishment that would follow. Unhappily I am debarred. To trust the jewels to the post would be too great a risk, and it is only to – to such a —confidant as you that I can look for assistance.”
“And this is all?” I asked. “You merely want me to take them to St. Petersburg?”
“That is all.”
“The commission is a slight one, Vera; you know how willingly I would undertake, for your sake, a thousand such – ”
“How can I ever thank you enough?” she interrupted, her face assuming a brighter expression. “I really thought it too much to ask of you.”
“Nothing could be too much, dearest. When shall I start?”
“As soon as possible. By delay all may be lost. It is imperative you should be in Russia three weeks from to-day.”
“Three weeks from to-day,” I echoed.
“Yes, within that time, or it will be useless – my friend will have departed.”
“Then I am ready to set out to-morrow. Have you any message? What must I do?”
“To-morrow morning I will give you the case. Go to the Hôtel Michaeli, on the Galernoi Oulitza, at St. Petersburg, and remain there until a tall, fair gentleman presents my card and asks for them. He will give his name as Paul Volkhovski.”
“Very well,” I said, “I shall leave to-morrow night.”
Then we retraced our steps, and entering the carriage, drove back to Genoa in the fading twilight.
Next morning we met alone in the drawing-room, and she placed in my hands a leather jewel-case about nine inches square and three deep, securely sealed, saying, —
“I trust to you for their safety. Do not let this out of your sight for an instant, and on no account allow the seals to be broken, for it will be easy enough to pass so small a box through the douane.”
I bade her rest assured the diamonds would be safe in my hands, and that I would carry out her instructions regarding the preservation of the seals.
“I trust you implicitly,” she repeated. “And now – as to funds?” producing her purse.
“No,” I said firmly, “I should not think of taking your money. This journey will be a pleasure, and you must allow me to defray its cost.”
“Thank you, a thousand times,” she replied, her lips quivering with emotion. “Our movements are very uncertain, but I have your London address, and will write and inform you of our wanderings from time to time.”
“After I have accomplished this mission, I shall return to you immediately, when I hope you will be convinced that my love is no mere passing fancy, but a – ”
“Hark!” she interrupted, “my uncle’s cough. Go! – Farewell!”
I bent and kissed her, then snatching up the box, hurriedly left the room.
Chapter Eight
Post-Haste across Europe
One circumstance puzzled me greatly.
My baggage had already been placed in the carriage which was to take me to the station, and in descending the stairs to depart I passed the sitting-room occupied by Vera. The door was ajar, and I was suddenly prompted to enter to wish her a final adieu. Having opened the door half-way I heard voices, which caused me to halt. Vera was seated upon an ottoman, her elbows upon her knees in an attitude of dejection. Before her, with his hands thrust deep in his capacious pockets, stood a well-made athletic young fellow, who, though his back was burned towards me, had the air of a military officer. Apparently he had assumed a commanding demeanour, for he was bending over her, speaking rapidly in a language I did not understand, while she was appealing to him to desist.
I had already bade her adieu, and as neither noticed me I passed down the staircase and out into the street, the thick pile of the carpet preventing my footsteps being heard.
In my drive to the station I was greatly perplexed over this incident, wondering who the man could be. Evidently he was a Russian, and had just arrived or was on the point of departing on a journey, for he wore a long travelling ulster and soft felt hat. From Vera’s dispirited manner it appeared as if he were giving some directions which were hateful to her, and which she was vainly resisting.
I somehow felt certain, too, that he had pronounced my name; and at mention of it she shrank as if in fear. It seemed very much as if this man, as well as her uncle, exercised some power over her, and during my long night journey I tried to account for the stranger’s presence.
After all, it might be nothing, I thought at last; and perhaps the green-eyed monster had arisen within me and distorted, as it often does, what would otherwise have seemed a very commonplace occurrence.
On
