By Right of Sword

  CHAPTER IX.

  DEVINSKY AGAIN.

  It will be readily understood that I now found life exciting enougheven to satisfy me. The complications multiplied so fast, without anyact of mine, that I had no time to think of the old troubles anddisappointments which had so soured Hamylton Tregethner, and emptiedlife for him. They had already faded into little more than memories,associated with a life that I had once lived but had now done withaltogether. I was getting rapidly absorbed by the dangers andincidents of the new life.

  How completely I had changed the current of opinion about AlexisPetrovitch I had abundant evidence during the next few days, in theform of invitations to houses which had hitherto been closed to me.People also began to remember Olga, and she shared in this way in thealtered condition of things.

  I did not tell her any particulars of my night with the Nihilists, norof the mission with which I was charged. It would probably distressher, and could do no good; unless I might find it necessary to use itto compel her to leave Moscow. I questioned her as to her ownconnections with the Nihilists, and from what she told me I saw thatthough they were slight in themselves, they were enough to put her inthe power of a woman such as Paula Tueski; and decidedly much more thansufficient to make her arrest a certainty if I were to be arrested, orif anything should happen to throw increased suspicion on me.

  Our meeting after her letter to me was a very pleasant one. She met mewith a smile and begged me again to forgive her. That was notdifficult.

  "I can speak frankly to my brother, now. I couldn't always, you know,Alexis"--she glanced with roguish severity into my face--"because a fewdays ago you used to get very bad tempered and even swear a little.But I'll admit you are improving--in that respect; though I am afraidyou are as dogged as ever. But I can be dogged, too: and if I speakfrankly now, it is to tell you that nothing you can do will make me goout of Russia until you are safe. You may form what opinion you likeof me--though I don't want that to be very bad--but a coward you shallnever find me."

  "I didn't think you a coward. You know that; you said it in yourletter; and I shall not forgive that rudeness of yours, if you persistin this attitude."

  "What is the use of a brother if one can't be rude to him, pray? Asfor your forgiveness, you can't help that now. You've given it.Besides, on reflection, I should not be frightened of you. Will youmake me a promise?"

  "Yes, if it has nothing to do with your going away."

  "It has."

  "Then I won't make it. But I'll make a truce. I will not press you togo away, unless I think it necessary for my own safety. Will that do?"

  "Yes, I'll go then," she answered readily, holding out her hand to makea bargain of it, as she added:--"Mind, if it's necessary for yoursafety."

  "You're as precise as a lawyer," said I, laughing, as I pressed herhand and saw a flush of colour tinge her face a moment.

  "Now," she said, after a pause. "I have a surprise for you. I have aletter from an old friend of yours--a very old friend."

  "An old friend of mine. Oh, I see. And old friend of your brother's,you mean. Well, who is it now? Is there another complication?"

  "No, no. An old friend of my new brother's. From Mr. HamyltonTregethner." She laughed merrily as she stumbled over the old Cornishsyllables. "I don't like that Englishman," she said, gravely. "Do youknow why?"

  "Not for the life of me."

  "Well, I do not; but I can't say why." Her manner was peculiar. "See,here is the passport. Mr. Tregethner has sent it and he seems to havecrossed the Russian frontier without the least difficulty. He has goneto Paris by way of Austria. When shall you go?" She did not look upas she asked this, but stood rummaging among the papers on the table.I took the passport, unfolded and read it mechanically; then withoutthinking, folded it up again and put it away in my pocket.

  Evidently she meant it as my dismissal; and it was very awkward for meto explain that I could not be dismissed in this way because of thedifficulties in the road of my leaving. I did not wish to appear toforce myself upon her as a brother; but I could not go without firstseeing her in safety. And there was the crux.

  "I'll make my arrangements as soon as I can," I replied, after alongish pause; and I was conscious of being a little stiff in mymanner. "But of course I can't manage things quite as I please. Yousee, I didn't come into this--I mean, I took up the part and--well, I'mhanged if I know what I do mean; except that of course I'm sorry toseem to force myself on you longer than you like, but I can't get awayquite so easily as you seem to think. I know it puts you in an awkwardposition, but for the moment I don't for the life of me see how it's tobe helped."

  As I finished she lifted her head, and her expression was at firstgrave, until the light of a smile in her blue eyes began to spread overher face, and the corners of her mouth twitched.

  "Then you won't be able to go yet? Of course, it's very awkward, asyou say: but I must manage to put up with it as best I can. In themeantime as we have to continue the parts, we had better play them soas to mystify people. Don't you agree with this?

  "Yes, I think that, certainly," I answered, catching her drift, andsmiling in my turn.

  "Then I am riding this afternoon at three o'clock; and as it mightoccasion remark if our afternoon rides were broken off quite suddenly,don't you think it would be very diplomatic if you were to come withme?"

  "Yes, very diplomatic," I assented, readily. "But you never told mebefore," said I, rising to go and get ready, "that we were in the habitof riding out together every day."

  "It hasn't been exactly every afternoon," answered Olga, laughing. "Infact, it's more than a year since the last ride, but the principle ofthe thing is the same. We ought not to break the continuity."

  "No, we ought not to break the continuity," I assented, laughing."I'll soon be back." I was, and an exceedingly jolly ride we had.Olga was a splendid horsewoman--a seat like a circus rider--and as soonas we were free of the city we had two or three rattling spins. As werode back we discussed the question of the best course for us to take.We were both too much exhilarated by the ride to take any but asanguine view; and so far as I am concerned, I think I talked about itrather as a sort of link between us two than in any serious sense.

  When I got to my rooms I was surprised to learn from my servant Borlasthat my old opponent, Major Devinsky, had called to see me. I did notknow he was back in Moscow, though I knew he had been away. I had beenat drill that morning--I had quickly fallen into the routine of thework--and had heard nothing of his return. Certainly there was noreason why he should come to me; though there were many why he shouldkeep away.

  He may have watched me into my rooms; for almost before I had changedmy riding things, he was announced. He came in smiling, impudent, selfassertive, and disposed to be friendly.

  "What can you want with me that can induce you to come here?" I askedcoldly.

  "I want an understanding, Petrovitch...."

  "Lieutenant Petrovitch, if you please," I interposed.

  "Oh, I beg your pardon, Lieutenant Petrovitch, I'm sure," he answeredlightly. "But there's really no need for this kind of reception. Iwant to be friends with you."

  I bowed as he paused.

  "You and I have not quite understood each other in the past."

  "Not until within the last few days," I returned, significantly.

  "I'm not referring to that," he said, flushing. "Though as you'vestarted it I'll pay you the compliment of saying you're devilish neatand clever in your workmanship. I had no idea of it, either, noranyone less...."

  "What do you want with me?" I interrupted, with a wave of the hand tostop his compliment.

  "I want to talk quietly over with you my suit for your sister's hand.I want to know where we stand, you and I."

  "My sister's hand is not mine to give." This very curtly.

  "I don't ask you to give it, man; I only want to win it. I am as gooda match for her as any man in Moscow..." and with that he
launched outinto a long account of his wealth, position, and prospects, and of theposition his wife would occupy. I let him talk as long as he would,quite understanding that this was only the preface to somethingelse--the real purpose of his visit. Gradually he drew nearer andnearer to the point, and I saw him eyeing me furtively to note theeffect of his words, which he weighed very carefully. He spoke of hisfamily influence; how he could advance my interests; what an advantageit was to have command of wealth when making an army career: and muchmore, until he shewed me that what he really intended was to presume onmy old evil reputation and bribe me with money down if necessary, andwith promises of future help, if I would agree to let Olga marry him.

  "Your proposal put in plain terms means," I said, bluntly, when he hadexhausted his circuitous suggestions, "that you want to buy my consentand assistance. I told you at the start that my sister's hand was notmine to give; neither is it mine to sell, Major Devinsky."

  He bent a sharp, calculating look on me as if to judge whether I was inearnest, or merely raising my terms.

  "I am not a man easily baulked," he said.

  "Nor I one easily bribed," I retorted.

  "You will have a fortune, and more than a fortune behind you. Withskill like yours you can climb to any height you please."

  "Sink to any depth you please, you should say," I answered sternly."But my sister declines absolutely to be your wife. She dislikes youcordially--as cordially as I do: and no plea that you could offer wouldinduce her to change her mind."

  "You weren't always very solicitous about her wishes," he muttered,with an angry sneer. I didn't understand this allusion: but it made mevery angry.

  "You are under my roof," I cried hotly. "But even here you will begood enough to put some guard on your speech. It may clear yourthoughts to know what my present feelings are." I now spoke withcrisp, cutting emphasis. "If my sister could by any art or persuasionbe induced to be your wife, I would never consent to exchange anotherword with her in all my life. As for the veiled bribe you haveoffered, I allowed you to make it, that I might see how low you woulddescend. Sooner than accept it, I would break my sword across my kneeand turn cabman for a living. But your visit shall have one result--Iwill tell my sister all that has passed..."

  "By Heaven, if you dare."

  "All that has passed now, and if she would rather marry you than retainher relationship to me, I will retire in your favour. But you will dowell not to be hopeful." I could not resist this rather petty littlesneer.

  "You will live to repent this, Lieutenant Petrovitch."

  "At your service," I replied, quietly with a bow. He was white to thelips with anger when he rose to go, and he seemed as if fighting tokeep back the utterance of some hot insult that rose to his tongue.But his rage got no farther than ugly looks, and he was still wrestlingwith his agitation when he left the room.

  I could understand his chagrin. He would have dearly liked to force meat the point of the sword to consent, and the knowledge that this wasno longer possible, that in some way which of course he could notunderstand I had broken his influence and was no longer afraid of him,galled and maddened him almost beyond endurance. He looked the baffledbully to the life.

  It was two days before I had an opportunity of speaking to Olga aboutit. I had made a rule of seeing her daily if possible, lest anythingshould happen that needed explanation by her; but she was away the nextday and our daily "business conference," did not take place.

  She took the matter very curiously when I did mention it, however. Shewas a creature of changing moods, indeed.

  "I have a serious matter to speak to you about; something that mayperhaps surprise you," I said, when we were riding. "I am the bearerof a message to you."

  "To me?" her face wrinkling with curiosity.

  "Yes, to you. I have to be very much the brother in this; in fact thehead of the family," and then without much beating about the bush Itold her of Devinsky's visit and of his desire to make her his wife.

  She listened to me very seriously, scanning my face the while; but didnot interrupt me. I had expected a contemptuous and passionaterefusal. But her attitude was simply a conundrum. She heard me out tothe end with gravity, and when I had finished, reined in her horse andfor a full minute stared point-blank into my eyes.

  Then she laughed lightly, and asked as she sent her horse forwardagain:--

  "Do you think I ought to marry him--brother?"

  Frankly, I was a good deal disappointed at her conduct. I did not seethat there could be a moment's hesitation about her answer, especiallyafter all she had said to me about the man. And this feeling mayperhaps have shewn in my manner.

  "I could do no less than tell you of the proposal, considering thatDevinsky believes in the relationship between us," I said. "But Idon't see how you, knowing everything, can look to me for the judgmentI should have had to give were that relationship real and I actuallyhead of the family."

  This stilted reply seemed to please her, for she glanced curiously atme and then smiled, as I thought almost merrily, or even mischievously,as she replied:--

  "A proposal of marriage is a very serious thing, Alexis."

  "Yes, and so people often find it."

  "Major Devinsky is very rich, and very influential. He is right whenhe says that his wife would have a very good position in one way inMoscow."

  "I wish her much happiness with him," I retorted, grimly.

  "He is very handsome, too."

  I said nothing. She disappointed and vexed me.

  "Ah, you men never see other men's good looks. You're very moody," sheadded, after a pause when she found me still silent.

  "I don't admire Major Devinsky," I said rather sullenly.

  She laughed so heartily at this and seemed evidently so pleased that Iwished I had found the laugh less musical. Next, she looked at meagain thoughtfully before she spoke, as if to weigh the effect of herwords.

  "It would be greatly to your advantage, too, Alexis, to have MajorDevinsky...."

  "Thank you," I cut in shortly. "I do not seek Major Devinsky'spatronage. When I cannot climb or stand without it, I'll fall, andquite contentedly, even if I break my neck. Shall we get on?" And Iurged my horse to a quick trot.

  My evident irritation at her suggestion--for I could not hear thematter without shewing my resentment--seemed to please her as much asanything, for she smiled as her nag cantered easily at my side. But Iwould not look at her. If she meant to marry Devinsky I meant what Ihad said to him. I would have no more to do with the business, and Iwould get out of Russia as soon as possible the best way I could.

  A sidelong glimpse that I caught of Olga's face after a while shewed methat the look of laughing pleasure had died away and had given place toa thoughtful and rather stern expression. "Making up her mind," was mythought; and then having a stretch of road ahead, I quickened up myhorse's speed to a hard gallop and we had a quick burst at a rattlingpace.

  When we pulled up and stood to breathe our horses before turning theirheads homewards, the girl's cheeks were all aglow with ruddy colour andher eyes dancing with the excitement of the gallop. She made such apicture of beautiful womanhood that I was forced to gaze at her insheer admiration.

  We had not spoken since I had closed the last bit of dialogue, and nowshe manoeuvred her horse quite close to me and said:--

  "Alexis, did you bring that proposal to me deliberately?"

  "Alexis, did you bring that proposal to medeliberately?"]

  "Yes. It was scarcely a question I could answer for you."

  "Couldn't you?" Her eyes rested on mine with an expression that atanother time I should have read as reproach. "Did you think therecould be any but one answer?"

  "No, I didn't. But one never knows," I said, remembering what she hadsaid just before the gallop.

  "Don't you? Well, you must think we Russian women are poor stuff! Oneday, ready to sneak off in disgraceful cowardice: and the next, willingto marry an utter
ly despicable wretch because he has money andinfluence and position. Do you mean to tell me that you, acting as mybrother, actually let this man make this proposition in cold blood, anddid not hurl him out of your rooms? You!"

  I stared at her in sheer amazement at the change, and could find not aword to say. Nor was there any need. Now that her real feelings hadforced themselves to words she had plenty: and for some minutes she didnothing but utter protestation after protestation of her hatred andcontempt of Devinsky: while her hits at me for having been themouthpiece of the man were many and hard. What angered her was, shesaid, to feel that the smallest doubt of her intention had been left inDevinsky's mind; and it was not till I told her much more particularlyand exactly all that had passed on this point that she was satisfied.

  We had ridden some way homewards when her mood changed again, andlaughter once more prevailed.

  "So you told him I must choose between him and--my brother; or rathermy present relationship to you?"

  "I told him I would never speak to you again if you married him."

  "Well, I have chosen," she replied at once. "I shall not give up--mybrother," and with that she pricked up her nag and we rattled alongfast, her cheeks growing ruddier and ruddier than ever with theexercise.

  I couldn't follow her change of mood; but I was heartily glad she haddecided to have nothing to do with Devinsky. She was far too good agirl to be wasted on him.