An Imperial Lover by Mary Imlay Taylor

WITH the czar's threat ringing ominously in my ears, I ascended the stairs and, asking M. de Lambert to remain in the _salon_, went on to Madame de Brousson's door to inquire for Najine. At the sound of my voice they both came out into the ante-room, mademoiselle's face still pale with excitement. She ran up to me with the pretty manner of a child, and, taking my hand, kissed it with impulsive gratitude.

"M. l'Ambassadeur," she said, "I feel as if I ought to go down on my knees to you and Madame de Brousson, for rescuing me from this situation; I do not know how I could have faced the czar in this house."