enemies? It is because you are jealous of him and because you fear him—but you shall not hurt him. This, at least, I say and mean: Take the Russian girl away with you now, or promise me you will never fight my husband with lead or steel."
"I cannot promise it, Carmelita. I have challenged Rivoli publicly and must fight him. To draw out now would brand me as a coward, would make him twice the bully he is, and would be a cruelty to you.… You ask too much, you ask an impossibility. I must make some other plan for Olga Kyrilovitch."
Carmelita staggered, and stared open-mouthed. She could not believe her ears.
"What?" she gasped.
"The girl must go elsewhere," repeated the Englishman. Carmelita appeared to be about to faint. Could he mean it? Was it possible? Was her brilliant plan failing?
"Will you lend the girl some clothes?" asked John Bull.
"Most certainly will I not," she whispered.
"Then please go and tell her to dress again in uniform," was the answer, as he pointed to the uniform lying folded on a chair.
"And will you ruin her chance of escape, Signor Jean Boule?" asked Carmelita. "Is that how Englishmen treat women who throw themselves on their mercy? Do you put your own vengeance before her safety and honour and life?"
"No, Carmelita, I do not," answered the man. "I am in a terrible position, and am going to choose the lesser of two evils. It is better that I take the girl away and help her brother to desert with her, than
