I was summoned into the headmistress's parlor that evening. Madame Tomilov looked up at me sternly. "Katerina Alexandrovna, I have heard some troublesome news, young lady. One of the staff has told me that you tried to leave the institute grounds last night."

Mon Dieu! Who on earth would lie to the headmistress about me? "Of course not, Madame. Any of my roommates can tell you the truth. I was asleep all night."

"And why wouldn't this person speak the truth?" Madame Tomilov glared at me. I had never seen her mad before. Especially not at me. "Katerina, I know you were having some difficulty adjusting at the beginning of the school term, but you cannot break the Smolny rules. These rules have been put in place for your safety. I have decided your punishment will be forbidding you from attending the Smolny Ball."

This was part of the empress's plan. She had told the headmistress to punish me, and this is what my classmates would be told when they found out I was not going to the ball. I clasped my hands in defeat. "Of course, Madame," I whispered, trying very hard not to cry in front of her. I was too old for such displays of emotion. No matter how upset I was.

"Very well." Madame Tomilov picked up a pen and began writing in her ledger. "You may return to your class now."

I stood up, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

Madame Tomilov glanced up at me. "It's for your own protection, Katerina."

I nodded and turned to go. She knew the empress had forbidden me to leave the institute. Madame also knew I had not tried to leave the grounds last night. That was small comfort. I still felt as if I'd been betrayed.