Even here, we cannot afford to offend
him."
So the fellow Boranski had really kept faith with me, and at his order
the closed door of the convent had been opened.
"Of course not," I answered. "Russian officialdom is all-powerful in
Finland nowadays. But where is the lady?"
"You are still prepared to risk your liberty and life?" she asked in a
hoarse voice, full of grim meaning.
"I am," I said. "Lead me to her."
"And when you see her you will make no effort to speak with her? Promise
me that."
"Ah, Sister!" I cried. "You are asking too great a sacrifice of me. I
come here from England, nay, from Italy in search of her, to question
her regarding a strange mystery and to learn the truth. Surely I may be
permitted to speak with her?"
"You wish to learn the truth, sir!" remarked the woman. "I thought you
were her lover--that you merely wished to see her once again."
"No, I am not her lover," I answered. "Indeed, we have never yet met.
But I am in search of the truth from her own lips.
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