Moreover, it was evident to the authorities that a man coming all the way from America, and presenting such credentials as Claudius brought, deserved to be attended to at once--the more so when his whole appearance and manner were such as to create a small _furore_, in the Embassy circles.

Claudius went everywhere, saw every one, and used every particle of influence he could obtain to further the object of his visit.

And so it was that, at the end of a month or so, a special _ukase_ provided for the payment in perpetuity to herself and her heirs for ever of the jointure-money first decreed to the Countess Margaret for life only from the estates of her late husband, Count Alexis of the Guards.

This was even more than Claudius had hoped for--certainly more than Margaret had dreamt of.

As for Nicholas, Claudius cared nothing what became of him, for he probably thought him a foolish Nihilist, and he knew enough of the Countess's character to be sure she would never let her brother suffer want, whatever his faults.
So when he had concluded the affair he hastened to Berlin, telegraphing from thence the news of his immediate return.