At any moment the agent of the authorities may appear and conduct you to a prison which you may leave only for the long journey to Siberia.
Count Preskoff did not think that matters had yet reached this point.
He was in disgrace at court, and had enemies who would injure him to the utmost with the emperor, but he believed that no steps would be taken until Count Smerskoff had received his final refusal of Katinka's hand.

He had already once proposed for it, but would not consider the answer which her father then gave him as final.
"I cannot accept your refusal, count," he had said.

"The marriage would be for the advantage of all parties concerned.

My family is, as you are aware, not without influence at court, and they would, were I the husband of your daughter, do all in their power to incline the emperor favorably towards you; while, were I rejected, they would probably view your refusal to accept my offers as a slight to the family, and resent it accordingly.

I cannot but think that when you have given the matter calm consideration, you will see the advantages which such an alliance would offer.