Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 147: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

‘“ Of my worst enemy, yes.” ‘Ts it not wise to compel your enemies to do your service? ” “Can I accept a service from one whom I hate as I do him? ” “IT think so, if your life and mine are both dependent upon that service.” “ But where are we going? ” “To the Viadek prison.” . “TI? Olga d’Echeveria, to prison?” “ Yes.” “And you?” “To the same place.” ‘‘ How long are we to be detained there? ”’ * Only sufficient time for us to pass through it and take our departure by another door, to enter another carriage, and to be driven to the house of a friend.” ‘Ah! I begin to understand. To whose house, then?” “ To the house of Prince Michael.” ‘ T.cannot go there! Oh, indeed, I cannot go there!” ‘You must disappear for a time, Olga. The prince is my friend and yours ; more than that, he loves you, and, better than all, he is*a prince among men as well as a prince among royalty. Will you not still trust to me?” She sighed and said no more, but as the britska dashed onward she nes- tled closer to me, as though she found comfort in the thought that the author- ity was taken out of her hands, and when at last we came to a stop before the prison doors, she whispered: ‘“T trust you. Do with me as you will. I will obey.” Within the prison I found Canfield awaiting me, and I gave him and Coyle a few hurried instructions; but we were soon on the road again, and in due time arrived at the house of the prince, we passing in by a side entrance. Presently, courtly and grave, but as white as mental suffering can render the face of a man, he came to us. “You are welcome,” he said, extending his hand, first to her and then to me. ‘' The house is at your disposal, princess, and I need not say that there are no servants here to spy upon you. I know them all, and your presence will be as secret as the grave.’ ' She thanked him, and was proceeding to explain some of the circum- stances which had brought us there, when he stopped her with a gesture. “It is true that I do not understand,” he said, ** but Dubravnik is my best friend, and he will tell me all that it is necessary to tell. In the mean time, I am commanded by his majesty, the Czar, to remain at the palace for a few days. Let me entreat you to regard everything here as your own.” “Twenty four hours will suffice, prince,’ I said. “ After that time the princess can return in safety to her own home.” “Then, if you will excuse me,’ he murmured, bowing low over Olga’s hand, “I will proceed at once to the palace, where I am even now expected. I will await you there, Dubravnik,” he added, and the glance that he cast upon me made me wonder if I had not, perhaps, trusted—or, rather, tried—this chivalrous man too far, in taking the princess to his house. GOH GoOOO (GO) m