"The peasants will make a demonstration. The rest we must leave
to--well, to the course of fortune. I have no doubt that our astute
friend Karl Steinmetz will manage to hold them in check. But whatever
the end of the demonstration, the outcome will be the impossibility of a
longer residence in this country for the Prince Pavlo Alexis. A regiment
of soldiers could hardly make it possible."
"I do not understand," said Etta, "what you describe as a
demonstration--is it a rising?"
De Chauxville nodded, with a grin.
"In force, to take what they want by force?" asked the princess.
De Chauxville spread out his hands in his graceful Gallic way.
"That depends."
"And what do you wish me to do?" asked Etta, with the same concentrated
quiet.
"In the first place, to believe that no harm will come to you, either
directly or indirectly. They would not dare to touch the prince; they
will content themselves with breaking a few windows."
"What do you want me to do?" repeated Etta.
De Chauxville paused.
"Merely," he answered lightly, "to leave open a door--a side door. I
understand that there is a door in the old portion of the castle leading
up by a flight of stairs to the smoking-room, and thence to the new part
of the building."
Etta did not answer. De Chauxville glanced at his watch and walked to
the window, where he stood looking out.
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