would be a further gain-with little risk save to Mniszek and his daughter's private reputation.' There was a pause.

'Then you think,' said the King, 'that, provided the young man give good security for his conduct, we should do well to further his But we are in treaty with Boris

designs? Godunoff.'

'That can be managed,' said Rangoni. 'His Holiness, I do not doubt, would give absolution for the non-fulfilment of a treaty with a heretic, where the interests of the Church are so nearly concerned. But it will be better for your Majesty to permit volunteers to offer themselves for the youth's service, without publicly sanctioning his enterprise. And it will do no harm to get some hot blood out of the way; for your Majesty is aware that these nobles are getting very turbulent, and may, unless an outlet is found for their factious full-bloodedness, cause much trouble at home.'

'Let

'Very good, Rangoni,' said Sigismund. me know anything further that occurs to you on the subject. In the meanwhile I will think over the matter, and should I hear nothing from

you to make us change our plans, I will, in a few days, take steps to put what you advise into execution.'

The legate bowed and withdrew.

XIII

'Look out, sir! Oh, it's Oginski !

'Sapiéha !'

'The very man! Where are you off too?'

'Oh, nowhere in particular! And you?'

'To Soltikoff's.

Come along with me.

you seen Prince Dmitri ?"

6

'No; not yet.'

Have

'Then are you going to Iwanicki's to-night?'

Yes; of course he'll be there?'

'Oh yes! and every one else too.'

I say, some people think all this is a fraud.'

'Who do?'

'Oh! Zamoisky and all his lot.'

'Zamoisky's a

old fool! He's fearfully spiteful because he didn't find Dmitri himself! He's at daggers drawn with the Wisnowiskis, and thinks everything's bound to

go wrong if he hadn't a finger in the pie. Why, man, the whole world believes in the Russian fellow except the old fool Zamoisky,—even the Jews and the Jesuits!'

'Jews and Jesuits!' said Oginski. 'Then he's bound to be all right. He must be a crafty man, too!'

'I tell you, he's all right. Besides, what the devil does it matter who he is, so long as we're sure of a smack at the Muscovites ? All the same, what do you think I was told"?'

'What?'

That he is a son of our old Stephen Battori -bar sinister, you know.'

6

By the Lord!' said Oginski, 'that's best of all. Why, I'll put money on him, if he's got that old bear-driver's blood in him!'

'Put it all on; he's good enough. Look at Iwanicki! how thick he is with him. You don't catch Iwanicki tripping! But here we are. You won't come in! Well, bye-bye-see you to-night.'

'Au revoir !'

XIV

Count Boleslas Iwanicki's great hall blazed with lights of all colours. Dinner was just over, and two hundred gentlemen of the best blood in Poland were each contributing his mite to the Babel of voices which precedes the speeches after a banquet. Servants and waiters in gorgeous liveries bustled about, handing wines of every known description. Flags waved above their heads, and the ancestral Iwanickis looked down from the walls at festivities such as they had themselves long ceased to assist at, save as impartial spectators.

At the top of the hall, in a huge carved chair on the dais, sat the gay and popular young host; on his right hand the guest in whose honour the flower of the Polish nobility were assembled.

Suddenly, a clattering of drinking cups abruptly stopped the conversation, and on one side of the chief table Prince Konstantin Wisnowiski rose to propose the health of the host.

Loud and prolonged applause inaugurated his speech.

'Gentlemen of Poland' [loud cheers], 'it is my pleasing task to propose the health of our generous host-Count Boleslas Iwanicki.' [Great cheering.] I will begin by saying he is an honour to his descendants his ancestors, I mean.' [Great laughter and cheers.] 'I'm sure we all feel very much obliged to him for his hospitality, and all envy him the honour which is his to-night, of feasting the future Tsar of Russia.' [Furious applause.] Gentlemen, I will not enlarge upon a subject which will be handled presently by speakers far more able than myself.' [No! no!] 'But, as one who was immediately concerned in introducing Prince Dmitri to Poland, I will make but a single observation. After all we have heard and seen, I'm sure no one will require any further proof that Prince Dmitri is really and actually himself.' [No] 'But there's a thing just happened which is worth knowing, gentlemen, as being a strong confirmation of all we have already heard.' [Deep silence.] The usurper, Boris Godunoff' [groans] the usurper, Boris, has just offered

6