Part 13 (1/2)
”You see, Maman, we defy you!” the Prince said, when he could speak.
The little boy now joined his sister, and both soon shrieked with laughter over some impossible tale which was being poured into their ears; and Princess Sonia said softly to Tamara:
”He is too wonderful with children--Gritzko--when he happens to like them--isn't he, Olga? All of ours simply adore him, and I can never tell you of his goodness and gentleness to Marie last year when she had her dreadful accident. The poor little one will be well some day, we hope, and so I do not allow myself to be sad about it; but it was a terrible grief.”
Tamara looked her sympathy, while she murmured a few words. Princess Sonia was such a sweet and charming lady.
More visitors now came in, and they all drank their coffee and tea, but the Prince paid no attention to any one beyond casual greetings; he continued his absorbing conversation with his small friends.
Tamara was surprised at this new side of him. It touched her. And he was such a gloriously good-looking picture as he sat there in his scarlet coat, while Marie played with the silver cartridges across his breast, and Peter with his dagger.
When she and Countess Olga left to catch an early afternoon train he came too. He had to be back in Petersburg, he said. Nothing could look more desolate than the tracts of country seen from the train windows, so near the capital and yet wild, uncultivated s.p.a.ces, part almost like a marsh. There seemed to be nothing living but the lonely soldiers who guarded the Royal line a hundred yards or so off. It depressed Tamara as she gazed out, and she unconsciously sighed, while a sad look came into her eyes.
The Prince and Countess Olga and another officer, who had joined them, were all chaffing gaily while they smoked their cigarettes, but Gritzko appeared to be aware of everything that was pa.s.sing, for he suddenly bent over and whispered to Tamara:
”Madame, when you have been here long enough you will learn never to see what you do not wish.” Then he turned back to the others, and laughed again.
What did he mean? she wondered. Were there many things then to which one must shut one's eyes?
She now caught part of the conversation that was going on.
”But why won't you come, Gritzko?” Countess Olga was saying. ”It will be most amusing--and the prizes are lovely, Tatiane, who has seen them, says.”
”I?--to be glued to a bridge table for three solid evenings. Mon Dieu!”
the Prince cried. ”Having to take what partner falls to one's lot! No choice! My heavens! nothing would drag me. Whatever game I play in life, I will select my lady myself.”
”You _are_ tiresome!” Countess Olga said. When they got to the station the Princess's coupe was waiting, as well as the Gleboff sleigh.
”Good-bye, and a thousand thanks for taking me,” Tamara said, and they waved as Countess Olga drove off. And then the Prince handed her into the coupe and asked her if she would drop him on the way.
For some time after they were settled under the furs and rus.h.i.+ng along, he seemed very silent, and when Tamara ventured a few remarks he answered mechanically. At last after a while:
”You are going to this bridge tournament at the Varishkine's, I suppose?” he suddenly said. ”It ought to be just your affair.”
”Why my affair?” Tamara asked, annoyed. ”I hate bridge.”
”So you do. I forgot. But Tantine will take you, all the same. Perhaps, if nothing more amusing turns up, I will drop in one night and see; but--wheugh!” and he stretched himself and spread out his hands--”I have been impossibly _sage_ for over a fortnight. I believe I must soon break out.”
”What does that mean, Prince--to 'break out'?”
”It means to throw off civilized things and be as mad as one is inclined,” and he smiled mockingly while some queer, restless spirit dwelt in his eyes. ”I always break out when things make me think, and just now--in the train--when you looked at the sad country----”
”That made you think?” said Tamara, surprised.
”Well--never mind, good little angel. And now good-bye,” and he kissed her hand lightly and jumped out; they had arrived at his house.
Tamara drove on to the Serguiefskaia with a great desire to see him again in her heart.
And so the days pa.s.sed and the hours flew. Tamara had been in Russia almost three weeks; and since the blessing of the waters the time had been taken up with a continual round of small entertainments. The Court mourning prevented as yet any great b.a.l.l.s; but there were receptions, and ”bridges” and dinners, and night after night they saw the same people, and Tamara got to know them fairly well. But after the excursion to Tsarskoi-Selo for several days she did not see the Prince.
His military duties took up his whole time, her G.o.dmother said. And when at last he did come it was among a crowd, and there was no possible chance of speech.