"But they would not hurt me--a
stranger in the land."
"And an orphan, too, I have no doubt," added Steinmetz, with a laugh.
"But would the moujik pause to enquire, my very dear De Chauxville?"
"At all events, I should not pause to answer," replied the Frenchman, in
the same, light tone. "I should evacuate. Ah, mademoiselle," he went on,
addressing Maggie, "they have been attempting to frighten you, I
suspect, with their stories of disturbed peasantry. It is to keep up the
lurid local color. They must have their romance, these Russians."
And so the ball was kept rolling. There was never any lack of
conversation when Steinmetz and De Chauxville were together, nor was the
talk without sub-flavor of acidity. At length the centre of attention
himself diverted that attention. He inaugurated an argument over the
best cross-country route from Osterno to Thors, which sent Steinmetz out
of the room for a map. During the absence of the watchful German he
admired the view from the window, and this strategetic movement enabled
him to say to Etta aside:
"I must see you before I leave the house; it is absolutely necessary."
Not long after the return of Steinmetz and the final decision respecting
the road to Thors, Etta left the room, and a few minutes later the
servant announced that the baron's horse was at the door.
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