Was it, therefore, possible that Elma had awakened, and being warned of her peril had fled without arousing us?
The suggestion was possible, but I feared improbable.
Another very curious feature in the affair was the sudden manner in which Michael Boranski had exerted his power and influence in order to render me that service.

He had actually bribed the guards of Kajana; he had instructed the faithful Felix, he had provided our boat, and he had ordered the nun to open the water-gate to me.

Why?
There was, I felt convinced, some hidden motive in all that sudden and marked friendliness.

That he really hated the English I had seen plainly when we had first met, and I had only compelled him to serve me by presenting the order signed by the Emperor, which made me his guest within the Russian dominions.

Even that document did not account for the length he had gone to secure the release of the woman I now loved in secret.