Clara could not repress a smile. "I am by no means sure that I should have cared to call that count my uncle."
"It was a mercy that I sent him about his business. He turned out to be no nobleman at all, but only a hairdresser's assistant whose father had left him a little money. But certainly he had remarkably fine eyes."
Again there was a brief space of silence. This time it was broken by a knock which sounded all the more startling because no one had heard the faintest sound of footsteps on the stairs. All three started to their feet and looked at each other. Then, at a sign from Clara, Miss Primby crossed to the door and opened it.
Framed by the doorway and shone upon by the lamplight from within, they beheld the black-clothed figure, the statuesque, colourless face and the inscrutable eyes of M. Karovsky.
"Karovsky--you!" cried Gerald as he sprang forward.
"Yes, I--why not?" said the Russian with a smile, as he raised his hat and came forward.--"Ladies, your servant." Then to Gerald: "You stare at me, mon ami, as if I had just come back from Hades. But this is scarcely the hand of a _revenant_, if I may be allowed an opinion in the matter."
"It seems incredible that you should have found me out in this place," answered Gerald as the two shook hands.
"Incredible? Peuh! I had need to see you; and I am here."
As Karovsky drew up a chair, Clara made a sign to her aunt, and the two ladies passed out through the folding-doors into the room beyond.
"Pardon," said the Russian as he glanced around, "but this place seems scarcely a fit home either for madame or yourself."
"You know that I am in hiding; you doubtless also know that a large reward is offered for my capture?"--The other nodded.--"While such is the case, it is impossible for me to touch a penny of my income. My wife's aunt has lost her property by a bank failure. We are very poor, Karovsky; but there are worse ills in life than poverty."
"Part of my errand to-night is to tell you that I have instructions to place certain funds at your disposal. You can leave this place tomorrow, if it please you so to do."
"Thanks, Karovsky; but I cannot accept a penny of the money you offer me."
"It may seem so to you; but that does not alter the matter."