CHAPTER VIII
THE GRAND DUKE IS AFFABLE
THE girl's voice called, and Malcolm left old Kensky without a word and went to her side. "Will you walk with me to my father's palace?" she said. "I do not think it is safe for you to be alone."
A semi-circle of mounted Cossacks surrounded them now, and the unfaithful Boolba (such was the servant's name, he learnt) was standing with an impassive face holding his horse's head.
"One of the soldiers will take your horse," she said. "Boolba, you will follow us."
Her voice was stern and she looked the man straight in the eyes, but he did not flinch.
"Prikazeno, Highness, it is ordered," he said simply.
She turned and walked the way she had come, turning into the big square followed by a small escort of Cossacks.
They walked in silence for some time, and it was the girl who first spoke.
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